Synopsis

I. I SING the pleasures exquisite of sight! The sources, the occasions, and the means, Whence, and whereby the well-instructed eye Draws bliss from visible beauty unalloy'd; Bliss, simple, while denned by things themselves, Their shape and colour, motion, magnitude: Or bliss compounded, when things manifold Hold through the eye connection with the mind, Or by association touch the heart. —What wondrous scope for fancy in a theme Which opens thus creation's glorious field ! How shall I venture such an enterprise; How execute aright the bold design !