Note 2 — CATALOGUE OF HOGARTH'S PRINTS.[1] (continued 2)
Reading edition
The following lines were written by the Rev. Mr. Townley, Master of Merchant Taylors' School, and spoken by one of the Scholars, October 22, 1767,
ASSA BUBULA. Littore in opposito, quâ turrim Dubris in altum Ostentans, undas imperiosa regit, Ferrea stat, multo cum milite, porta Calesi: (Ingenium pinxit talia, Hogarthe, tuum). Eo! sudans carnis portat latus ille bovile, Quem, trepidis genibus, grande fatigat onus; Obstupet hic fixis oculis atque ore patenti, Et tenue, invitus, jus cito mittit humi: Accedit monachus, digito tangente rubentem Carnem, divinum prodigiumque colit. Omnia visa placent animum; non pascis inani Picturâ, pariter quæ placet atque docet. Egregius patriæ proprios dat pictor honores; Et palmam jussa est ferre bovina caro.