Poems (Sewell)/To Alphonso

by Mary Young Sewell

TO ALPHONSO

Oh thou! whose speech might gain applause,
And triumph in Religion's cause,
Ah! deem not Wit, with sparkling light,
Will ere eclipse a sun so bright!
Whose radiant power can grief controul,
And yield a sunshine to the soul!
Would Genius then, its art display;
To cast a shadow o'er the day?—
A midnight gloomy and profound, tank
Our way with darkness to confound?
Would Genius then obstruct our view,
And plant a thorn where roses grew?
Or snatch, with vile infernal force,
The staff from Misery in its course?—
Inglorious triumph! To succeed,
Were here but infamy indeed!
And what but ruin must pursue
The victor, and the vanquish'd too?

For thee!, whose eloquence and youth,
Might charm us in the cause of Truth!
Oh! trust not Fancy's feeble ray,
To guide thro' life's declining way!
The dreary wilderness shall spread—
The storm may blacken round thy head!
There's One to hear thy deep complaints,
Tho' friends forsake, and Nature faints.
Oh! may thy trembling spirit find
The Friend—the Saviour of Mankind!
There's One to rescue from despair—

Oh! mayst thou live to bless His care,
And prize the privilege of Prayer!