As o'er the sands the youthful Cynthio strayed, <br />Moist from the wave he saw a pebble shine, <br />While, with its borrowed lustre charmed, he said <br />"Henceforth this sparkling treasure shall be mine." <br /> <br />But when his hand had dried the glistening prize, <br />Wond'ring he found the pebble beamed no more! <br />Then, having viewed it with disdainful eyes, <br />He, frowning, whirled it to its native shore. <br /> <br />Suppress thy fruitless rage! and on thy heart <br />Let this, sweet boy, a moral truth impress, <br />To blunt the power of Disappointment's dart, <br />And make the dangerous sway of Fancy less. <br /> <br />As o'er the pebble's form the waves had shed <br />In silver dews a soft attractive power, <br />So Fancy's hand delights in youth to spread <br />Delusive colours on the future hour. <br /> <br />Moist from her pencil tempting scenes arise; <br />On common life, romance's tints she lays; <br />Till cold Reality her hand applies, <br />And at the touch each flattered form decays. <br /> <br />Ingenuous boy, warned by experience, now <br />The pebble's charms shall tempt thine eyes no more; <br />Would that my verse, my Cynthio, could bestow <br />A shield to guard thee against Fancy's power!<br /><br />Amelia Opie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-to-cynthio/
