William Cullen Bryant

Ah, why
Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect
God's ancient sanctuaries, and adore
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Ah, why
Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect
God's ancient sanctuaries, and adore
Only among the crowd and under roofs
That our frail hands have raised?

Here the free spirit of mankind, at length,
Throws its last fetters off; and who shall place
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Here the free spirit of mankind, at length,
Throws its last fetters off; and who shall place
A limit to the giant's unchained strength,
Or curb his swiftness in the forward race?

That make the meadows green; and, poured round all,
Old Ocean's gray and melancholy waste,--
Are but read more

That make the meadows green; and, poured round all,
Old Ocean's gray and melancholy waste,--
Are but the solemn decorations all
Of the great tomb of man.

Weep not that the world changes -- did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were a cause indeed to read more

Weep not that the world changes -- did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were a cause indeed to weep.

Weep not that the world changes--did it keep
A stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep.

Weep not that the world changes--did it keep
A stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep.