  LET others bow before Wealth’s shrine, And tribute render up For the pleasures manifold it brings To overflow Life’s cup. But at your altar, Muse, I kneel And reverential pray, When darkness would have claimed my soul— You held its blight at bay. My sky of Life was overcast— Nor showed one patch of blue— Love had betrayed, and deep,—ah, deep! My heart drank of its rue. Where lo! a hand my shoulder pressed, E’en as I would give up;— I turned,—your eyes looked into mine— There passed the cup. A music wonderful entranced Which led to heights afar; Ever it beckoned on, and on, My guiding star. The chains that hitherto had held,— How worthless proved their pow’r! Instead of wishing Life to pass I thanked God for each hour. Let others bow before Wealth’s shrine, And tribute render up For the pleasures manifold it brings To overflow Life’s cup. But at your altar, Muse, I kneel And reverential pray, When darkness would have claimed my soul,— You held its blight at bay. |
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