The Philosopher the Young Man and his Statue

Read 'The Philosopher the Young Man and his Statue' by 'Anne Kingsmill Finch' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Philosopher the Young Man and his Statue by Anne Kingsmill Finch

 A Fond Athenian Mother brought 
A Sculptor to indulge her Thought, 
And carve her Only Son; 
Who to such strange perfection wrought, 
That every Eye the Statue caught 
Nor ought was left undone. 

A youthful Smile adorn'd the Face, 
The polish gave that Smile a Grace; 
And through the Marble reigns 
(Which well the Artist's Skill cou'd trace, 
And in their due Positions place) 
A Thread of purple Veins. 

The Parasites about it came, 
(Whose Praises were too large to name) 
And to each other said; 
The Man so well had reach'd his Aim, 
Th' Original cou'd o'er it claim 
Only a native Red. 

Mean while a Sage, amidst the Croud, 
Thus, with a Precept wise and loud, 
Check'd the Vain-glorious Boy; 
By telling him, who now grew proud, 
That tho' with Beauty 'twas endow'd, 
The Figure was a Toy: 

Of no Advantage to the State, 
'Twou'd neither combate, nor debate, 
But idly stand alone; 
Bids him beware, whilst Men create 
In Stone thus his Resemblance great, 
He proves not like the Stone.

Form: Narrative

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