Poems (Davidson)/Alphonso in Search of Learning
ALPHONSO IN SEARCH OF LEARNING.
AN ALLEGORY.
Early one morning Alphonso set out in search of Learning. He travelled over barren heaths and over rocks, and was often obliged to ford rivers which seemed almost impassable; at last, completely exhausted, and at a loss what road to take, he sat down desponding by the side of a rapid river. Soon a passenger approached, with whom Alphonso entered into conversation, and at length asked him where he was going. "I am," replied the stranger, "seeking Fame; and already by her trump has my name been sounded in her courts, She has promised to immortalize my name; follow me, and you shall richly reap the reward of your labor." "I also," answered Alphonso, "have a road to pursue, which leads to Fame; but it is through Learning that I must reach her courts, and then shall I enjoy the fruits of my toil, in proportion to the hardships with which I have acquired it. Can you tell me where she can be found?"
"You see," replied the stranger, "yonder hills which rise one upon the other, as far as the eye extends; far, far beyond them, whose every precipice you have to climb, Learning resides. Her temple is pleasant, but few there are who gain it; many, indeed, have gone beyond these foremost hills, but stumbling, they have been dashed to pieces on the rocks; but still they have had the reputation of having reached her temple, and their names are recorded in the roll of Fame." Thus saying, the stranger proceeded on his journey, and left 'Alphonso in doubt whether to pursue the dangerous road of which the stranger had warned him, or to follow him to more easily acquired fame.
At last Wisdom came to his assistance, and he resolved not to give up his search after Learning. He proceeded therefore, and had reached the foot of the hill, when he was met by another person, who inquired whither he was going. "I am in pursuit of Learning," replied Alphonso. "What! do you intend climbing yonder rugged and tiresome hill?" "I do," answered Alphonso.
"Indolence is my companion," said the stranger: "I found her in yonder valley. I toiled not for her, and without toil I enjoy ease; on the other hand, Learning cannot be obtained without labor; go with me, and you shall enjoy life." Alphonso, partly fatigued with his long walk, and partly discouraged by the rugged appearance of the hill, consented. After walking on some time in a beautiful valley, Alphonso began to discover that his new companion was flat and insipid, that he had exhausted all his little fund of knowledge in the beginning of their journey, and that he now scarcely said anything. Thus continuing dissatisfied, not with the path, but with the companion he had, they entered a beautiful meadow, in which there was an arbor, called the arbor of Indolence, and there they lay down to rest; but before Alphonso slept, a warning voice sounded in his ear, "Awake, for destruction is at hand." He heeded it not, and with his senses slept his conscience.
When they arose to pursue their journey, a tempest gathered; thick clouds were in the heavens; all was black. Night's sable mantle was thrown over the horizon, and only now and then a flash of lightning, attended with a dreadful thunderbolt, showed them both the dead waters of oblivion; near them was the path which slides the unhappy deluded mortal down to its deep and noisome bed.
Alphonso's conductor, who had before appeared certain of being on safe ground, trembled and turned pale when he found himself in the fatal path. Alphonso was on the brink! He receded; his flesh grew cold, his eyeballs glared, and his hair stood on end. Presently he heard a low plashing of the dead waters of oblivion; they closed with a sullen roar over the unhappy sufferer, and all was silent. "This is the end of the careless votary of Indolence," thought Alphonso, as he turned from the dead waters of the lake. "Let this be a lesson to me!"
He stood in deep perplexity some time, not daring to turn back, and he knew it would. be certain death to proceed; but suddenly the clouds dispersed, the air was calm, and all was silent; he blessed the returning light, and with new vigor passed on his way in search of Learning. He was overjoyed when he found himself out of the fatal vale of Indolence.
Again he viewed those hills which so discouraged him when they met his eye before; but now they appeared to him with a far different aspect, as he traced over them the path to Learning's happy temple.
He began his journey anew, and as he proceeded, the ascent was easier. When he reached the top of the hill, a few faint rays of the bright sun of Learning warmed his heart, and though faint, it was sufficient to kindle the slumbering fire of hope in his bosom. After he had reached the valley below, he saw a person crossing on the opposite side with a light step and an open, ingenuous countenance.
Alphonso stopped him, and inquired why he did not ascend the hill before him. "Because," said the stranger, "I seek Truth, and she dwells in the simple vale of Innocence; at her court there is no pomp, but there is peace; she discloses her name to all; some revile her, others say she is of no use to the world, that they are always as victorious without her assistance as with it. Her followers scarce ever suffer from the imputations of the vile, when they hold fast upon her garments. I can possess Truth and Innocence without Learning." Here the travellers parted—Alphonso to ascend the hill, the stranger to the vale of Innocence.
Without a companion in his solitary journey, with no one to assist him on his way, no one to raise him if he stumbled, Alphonso pursued his toilsome course. At length, casting his eyes to the top of the hill, he perceived standing on its summit a figure stretching out one hand to assist him, the other rested on an anchor, and a bright beam played around her brow. Alphonso hastened to ascend the hill; and when he approached, he clasped the outstretched hand of Hope, for that was the name of the fair form, and imprinted it with kisses. Hope smiled affectionately upon him, and with these encouraging words addressed him: "Alphonso! I came to conduct you to the temple of Learning; you have overcome, alone, the greatest obstacles; you shall now have a conductor."
As they came to frightful precipices, where unfortunate mortals had been dashed headlong, for daring to approach too near the edge, Hope would catch his hand and conduct him to safer ground. At last, through many difficulties, hazards, and reproaches, Alphonso came in sight of the temple of Learning. The sun was just sinking, and it illumed the edges of the fleecy floating clouds with a golden hue. Its last beam played upon the glittering spire of the temple; Alphonso could scarce believe his eyes. They reached the threshold. After so many toils, so many dangers, he had now acquired the object of his hopes.
They stood a moment, when the door was opened by a grave-looking old man, who heartily welcomed them to the temple. As they entered, all was light: it burst upon his sight like some enchanted scene, where none but ethereal beings dwell. Irresistibly he cast his eyes up to the nave of the spacious hall, and beheld Learning seated upon a throne of gold. A bright sun emitted its cheering rays above his head. In one hand she held a globe, in the other a pen. Books were piled up in great order here, and in another place they were strewn in wild profusion. Ten of her favorite disciples were ranged on either hand; the swift-winged Genius with his beloved companion, Fancy, were seated at her right hand, and often did Genius cast an approving smile at the mistress of his heart and actions: she who had tamed the wild spirit of his temper, and taught it to follow in gentler, softer, and sweeter murmurs.
Hope now conducted Alphonso to the throne of Learning. She smiled as he humbly kneeled at her footstool, and taking a laurel from the hand of the delighted and willing Genius, she crowned the brow of the elated Alphonso. Fancy for a moment deserted the side of Genius and hovered over his laurel-crowned brow; then, clapping her wings in delight, she again resumed her former station. Learning stretched forth her hand to him; "Arise," said she, "you are destined by fate to fill this long vacant seat." Alphonso kissed the outstretched hand, and gratefully took his seat at the side of Learning.
1819.
