How Clear She Shines

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  1. How clear she shines! How quietly
  2. I lie beneath her guardian light;
  3. While heaven and earth are whispering me,
  4. "To morrow, wake, but dream to-night."
  5. Yes, Fancy, come, my Fairy love!
  6. These throbbing temples softly kiss;
  7. And bend my lonely couch above,
  8. And bring me rest, and bring me bliss.
  9.  
  10. The world is going; dark world, adieu!
  11. Grim world, conceal thee till the day;
  12. The heart thou canst not all subdue
  13. Must still resist, if thou delay!
  14.  
  15. Thy love I will not, will not share;
  16. Thy hatred only wakes a smile;
  17. Thy griefs may wound--thy wrongs may tear,
  18. But, oh, thy lies shall ne'er beguile!
  19. While gazing on the stars that glow
  20. Above me, in that stormless sea,
  21. I long to hope that all the woe
  22. Creation knows, is held in thee!
  23.  
  24. And this shall be my dream to-night;
  25. I'll think the heaven of glorious spheres
  26. Is rolling on its course of light
  27. In endless bliss, through endless years;
  28. I'll think, there's not one world above,
  29. Far as these straining eyes can see,
  30. Where Wisdom ever laughed at Love,
  31. Or Virtue crouched to Infamy;
  32.  
  33. Where, writhing 'neath the strokes of Fate,
  34. The mangled wretch was forced to smile;
  35. To match his patience 'gainst her hate,
  36. His heart rebellious all the while.
  37. Where Pleasure still will lead to wrong,
  38. And helpless Reason warn in vain;
  39. And Truth is weak, and Treachery strong;
  40. And Joy the surest path to Pain;
  41. And Peace, the lethargy of Grief;
  42. And Hope, a phantom of the soul;
  43. And life, a labour, void and brief;
  44. And Death, the despot of the whole!

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