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6
POEMS.
Some bubbles there are which float longer in air,
While most only linger a brief second there;
Each bursting at length, there only remains
A bitter reward for our labor and pains.

Thus all blow their bubbles, and all see them burst
Like those which in childhood we blew at the first;
But something is gained, for a moral was found
Where our first bubbles broke on touching the ground.

The lesson is this—let your aims be so high
That naught this side heaven shall the soul satisfy;
Then so far above earth will your strong bubbles rise,
They shall bear up their blowers—nor burst in the skies.