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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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