Lord Lytton

The sylphs and ondines
And the sea-kings and queens
Long ago, long ago, on the waves built read more

The sylphs and ondines
And the sea-kings and queens
Long ago, long ago, on the waves built a city,
As lovely as seems
To some bard in his dreams,
The soul of his latest love-ditty.

Meanwhile, there is dancing in yonder green bower,
A swarm of young midges, they dance high and low;
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Meanwhile, there is dancing in yonder green bower,
A swarm of young midges, they dance high and low;
'Tis a sweet little species that lives but one hour,
And the eldest was born half an hour ago.

No life
Can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife
And all life not read more

No life
Can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife
And all life not be purer and stronger thereby.

In life there are meetings which seem
Like a fate.

In life there are meetings which seem
Like a fate.

The things which must be, must be for the best,
God helps us do our duty and not shrink,
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The things which must be, must be for the best,
God helps us do our duty and not shrink,
And trust His mercy humbly for the rest.