Poems (Sewell)/Prologue designed for a young Woman

by Mary Young Sewell

PROLOGUE, DESIGNED FOR A YOUNG WOMAN, BEING HER FIRST APPEARANCE.

With all that tim'rous Fear can now suggest
To check the ardent hope that warms my breast—
With all that trembling Diffidence can feel,
To Candour now I make my first appeal!
With cautious steps, those dang'rous paths I tread,
Where gorgon Critics fill the soul with dread!
By Emulation's ray, that cordial light!
Soft Candour chears me in this World of Night;
It warms the heart, that timid fears wou'd chill—
Our guide, our guardian, and our patron still!
To nobler pride, it wakes cur native pow'rs,
And crowns ev'n Justice with a wreath of flow'rs.
Ev'n here, thank Heav'n! I see its aspect mild;
It cheers ev'n me, Misfortune's fainting Child!—
Deep in her shade, ere yet offence I knew,
Her pupil sad, in patient woes I grew!
Nor Hope, nor Joy, nor soft domestic Truth,
Cheer'd the dark mornings of my adverse youth!
But kindling Fancy now dispels the gloom,
Her voice enchants me, and her pictures bloom;
My feeble heart, with beating storms opprest,
Seeks in her fairy land—a Place of Rest!
That blest Retreat, may Critic Censure spare,
And know, your smiles can make Elysium There!