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Too well he knows the twisting strings
of ardent hearts combin'd;
When rent asunder, how they bleed,
how hard to be resign'd:
of ardent hearts combin'd;
When rent asunder, how they bleed,
how hard to be resign'd:
Those tears you pour, his eyes have shed;
the pang you feel, he felt;
Thus nature, loud as virtue, bids
his heart at yours to melt.
the pang you feel, he felt;
Thus nature, loud as virtue, bids
his heart at yours to melt.
But what can heart, or head, suggest?
what sad experience say?
Thro' truths austere, to peace we work
our rugged, gloomy way:
what sad experience say?
Thro' truths austere, to peace we work
our rugged, gloomy way:
What are we? whence? for what? and whither?
who know not, needs must mourn;
But thought, bright daughter of the skies!
can tears to triumph turn.
who know not, needs must mourn;
But thought, bright daughter of the skies!
can tears to triumph turn.
Thought is our armour, 'tis the mind's
impenetrable shield,
When, sent by fate, we meet our foes
in sore affliction's field;
impenetrable shield,
When, sent by fate, we meet our foes
in sore affliction's field;
It plucks the frightful mask from ills,
forbids pale fear to hide
Beneath that dark disguise, a friend,
which turns affection's tide.
forbids pale fear to hide
Beneath that dark disguise, a friend,
which turns affection's tide.
Af-
