Classic Poem

Here are some names the Parvenus revere—
Names cherished of the Louvre from year to year:
The wan Le Sueur, whose poor but pious aim
May still the toil-worn tourist's faith inflame:
Antoine Watteau, of cloying pastoral scene:
And festive Boucher, brazen and unclean:
Tear-trickling Greuze, who played an easy part
By palming incident in place of art:
The canny Joseph Vernet, called ideal
In that he tried discreetly to conceal
His lack of art by tracing without skill
Things no man ever saw nor ever will:
And tireless Vien, of the research vast,
That book-bred one whose works his wit outlast;
Who dreamed Historic painting could be true
Tho' wrought without contemporary view.