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And rarest gems, yet wanting loving hearts;
Fairer than with all garniture bedecked
Of princely halls, with splendors cold, and pride.
If matched with thine, all other jewels pale;
E'en God himself with pleasure thine beholds.
Brothers and sisters! what blest concord binds
Congenial souls that breathe in virtue's air!
How are they knit by inborn instincts kind,
By common blood and birth, by childhood's sports
Together shared in many a shining hour,
By transient griefs, and alternations quick
Of hope and fear, that each has felt with all,
All felt with each. Concord more perfect made
By such slight discords as in all have wrought
More watchful tenderness of patient love.
More of thy strength, divine self-sacrifice!

  Dwells then, O Earth, e'en in thy fairest spot,
A perfect bliss? Giv'st thou enduring joys,
Where nothing fixed abides? The circling years,
That swiftly chase each other in their flight,