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WOMAN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
gence, it will be so given that all the issues of life
may be pure. Life will then be a temple.
The temple round
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Spread green the pleasant ground;
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The fair colonnade
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Be of pure marble pillars made;
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Strong to sustain the roof,
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Time and tempest proof,
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Yet, amidst which, the lightest breeze
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Can play as it please;
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The audience hall
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Be free to all
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Who revere
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The Power worshipped here,
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Sole guide of youth
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Unswerving Truth:
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In the inmost shrine
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Stands the image divine,
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Only seen
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By those whose deeds have worthy been—
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Priestlike clean.
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Those, who initiated are,
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Declare,
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As the hours
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Usher in varying hopes and powers;
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It changes its face,
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It changes its age,
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Now a young beaming Grace,
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Now Nestorian Sage:
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But, to the pure in heart,
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This shape of primal art
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In age is fair,
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In youth seems wise,
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Beyond compare,
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Above surprise;
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What it teaches native seems
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Its new lore our ancient dreams;
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Incense rises from the ground,
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Music flows around;
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Firm rest the feet below, clear gaze the eyes above,
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When Truth to point the way through Life assumes the wand of Love;
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But, if she cast aside the robe of green,
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Winter's silver sheen,
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