  Many a bright and pleasant vision Hath the heart in youth, Visions that the wizard Fancy Conjures by sweet Necromancy, Ever robed in hues Elysian, From the world of Truth; Many a bright and pleasant vision Cheers the heart of youth! Just as though the curtain parted From the Life Unseen, And a portion of its gladness, Unalloy'd by any sadness, O'er the ripening spirit darted Like the morning's sheen, Making us awhile pure-hearted And our sky serene. Many a pleasure from the real Hath our manly prime, Though the mystic light is shaded, And the rosy dreams have faded; For our strengthen'd spirits see all Things matured by Time, Growing out of the ideal Unto truth sublime; Blossom unto fruitage golden, Hope to certainty; All things by divine transition Keeping pace with life's ambition, New joys springing from the olden As we pass them by Climbing still, by faith upholden, Onward to the sky. Many a pleasant recollection Hath the heart of Age, That life's tide hath staunchly breasted, Wrought, achieved and nobly rested, Musing with calm retrospection Their past pilgrimage; Hath the heart of Age; Looking forward, dreaming ever Of the Better Land; Waiting for the promised glory, That shall bind their temples hoary With a brightness fading never On that holy strand, Crowning life's devout Endeavour With a bounteous hand. |
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