An Epistle To The Reader Poem by Rees Prichard

THE Glory of the Lord! - my country's gain,-
The suit of friends,- the poor's affecting strain -
Caus'd me to print this little work of mine,
For my compatriots of the Cambrian line.

Because they take in sermons no delight,
But idle songs with eagerness recite,
I, for their good, have thus employ'd my time,
And put the doctrines, that ensue, in rhyme.

For as I saw fame'd Sal'sb'ry's labour'd stile
Neglected by the unlearned of our isle,
I therefore took a metre short and plain,
Easy to read, and easy to retain.

And this my Book, The Welshman's Candle, nam'd;
Because therein I've most sincerely aim'd
Each ignorant and darkling mind to light,
And taught him, how to serve his God aright.

To give the unletter'd an assisting hand,
Who, at the best, but little understand,
These Poems I compos'd with pleasing care :
The rest, I ween, have better Pastors far!

God grant the Welsh sufficient light to know,
And serve him, whilst they sojourn here below -
God grant this Candle, as it was design'd
May give unerring light e'en to the blind!