See, the bright Sun renews his annual Course, <br />Each Beam re--tinges, and revives its Force, <br />By Years uninjur'd; so may'st thou remain, <br />Not Time from thee, but thou from Time may'st gain: <br />O might the Fates thy vital Thread prolong, <br />And make thy Life immortal, as thy Song! <br /> <br />Less Lustre waits the God, when he refines <br />The rip'ning Metal in Peruvian Mines; <br />Brightens the Crystal with transparent Day, <br />Or points the Di'mond with its sparkling Ray; <br />Than when, delighted, he thy Soul inspires, <br />Informs thy Judgment, and thy Fancy fires; <br />Assists thee striking out some bold Design, <br />And breathes immortal Honours on each Line: <br />In common as His Rays on all descend, <br />So You the Great delight, the Poor befriend: <br />As Heat productive His bright Beams bestow, <br />So, warm with Life, your pow'rful Numbers flow: <br />As He from Clouds bursts forth divinely bright, <br />So Envy sets You in a fairer Light: <br />Yet, tho' thus far Similitude we see, <br />One Thing disturbs the wond'rous Harmony; <br />With faded Light the Winter Sun appears, <br />Whilst You shine brighter in Decline of Years.<br /><br />Mary Barber<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-mrs-barber/
