The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-01-29
POETRY.
lsELEe1KDl J
THE VOICR or REASOM


WouiD'sT thou, Man accepted be,
By the Lord and Judge of all
Jark a voice addresses thee;
Hear thou REASONS constant csf:
"Thou art ourneying in vaic
Where ten thousand ,his,les grow
,.horns shall oft thy feet asssil;
Pilgrim pains It's thine to know
"Yet thy path, though sometimes dresr,
Meier should lead thee TO despair;
Mark, what various flowers appear,
Fill'd with sragraRce, blooming fair.
Ne,er do thou, with impious thought,
Doubt the.goocness Of thy Guide
Tor. in this thy chequercd lot.
All is thine thou could'st provide.
"Dost thou, cnvious, eye the road,
smooth and soft, which others tread.
Znow that sorrows heaviest load
Bendeeh Oft the weslthy's head.
"Oft. beneath face of smiles.
Grief and sickness, hidden lie;
Could'st thou feel the enved's tolls,
Tbou'dst exclaim "How bIest am I !"
"Dost thou see thy fellow faint,
Weak ard weary on his way
Taste thee soon his fall prevent;
I" Happy he, in future hour,
When thou needest, thee may aid -
Show thou kindness tenderest power:
Man was for his brother made.
" JV1en thou hearst thy neigh5Otr's fam.
Blasfed by Defraehoa's tongue,
. reflect h07V of hiy name
yHiy midss Ssnder's yfends be runy.
4" o reflect! and guard fhy hearf;
Seat thy Ups. and dare not speak'--
Dipb'd IA hell is Sound rs dart,
SEQ ifs harmless veetm reekl
"Makn thou Justice ever thine,
Yet 10 ali mild Mercy yield -
porh are attributes divine,
Only one to thee is deard
owhat thou seest of othcrs' store
Scorn TO touch, though none shall see,
Hast thou little crave not more,
Lest thy Titles saatch'd from thee.
"Art thou injured by thy foe,
CIR false, perfdous friend
'K.st not vile resentment glow,
Pardon ear TO such extend -
"For how poorly can'st thoe scan
Motives, causes, and intent;
Little know'st thov, ii his plan
Wer. not for advantage meant;
so forgive, if thou wolld't gain
For tbysclf forgiveness too,
All have sinnsJ the task were vain
Cesseless vengeance to persuc.
"Is thy pilgrim brother poor:
Docs he OF thy bounty crave.'
Can'st thou, heartless, bar the door,
Wilt thou not from hungcr save.
els his frame convu,sed with pain,
On his last couch while ne lies;
Dost thou near his soul complain,
Dost thou read his askag eyes
."Think how soon may be thy lot,
Thus 20 need, and thus to lie
n chou wouid'st not bSforgot.
Haste TO cheer him--ere he die.
al. thou t,mperate, hanhle, chaste
say what lrem thy heart proceeds
Fot, when all LIES scenxs tre past,
Heav'n vii, Judge thee--by ,hy deeds.
sKecp thy mind frou iogmas fr-e,
Cautious sll thou hq'dest weigh,
Still le, Trnh be sanght by thee,
Truth, illumined by Reason's cay.
"when thou fce,'st confirmed and sure,
Boast not, vainly, IWs rightly
.sf,ne alone 10 Jaih that's pure
Others walk m0t in the light
Z" Far from thee be such prctencc,
Mold thou what thou hold'st in love,
Keep thou fast (without offence,)
onls doctrines thou canst prove.
"still to Knowledge reverent bow;
Muse and scek---and hope the best;
More Of light than thou hast now,
Cannot be, by man possessed.
"Dccp within thy inmost heart,
Hoard these lessons--all divine
Fear thou not--perform thy part;
Courage, Pilgrim Heaven is thine J"
y.