"What we hear,
With weaker passion will affect the ear,
Than when the faithful eye beholds the part."
—Francis.
[75] The artist requested his widow would not sell it during her lifetime for less than £500. She abided by his injunction. Since her death it was put up to auction at Greenwood's rooms, and purchased by Messrs. Boydell: it is in their possession now.
I some years since saw a picture of "Lucretia," by Domenichino, in the collection of Mr. Welbore Ellis Agar, which in air, attitude, and expression, bore a strong resemblance to Hogarth's "Sigismunda."
[76] "The Altar-piece to St. Mary Redcliffe's, Bristol," for which he received five hundred pounds, and the "Paul before Felix," painted for Lincoln's-Inn Hall.
[77] That this picture was much abused is certain, but it is equally certain that the painter had occasionally some consolatory compliments. Robert Lloyd, in one of his fables, asserts that "Sigismunda"
"Shall urge a bold and proper claim
To level half the ancient fame."