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These creatures only live the tiny span Of one short hour, we but of one short day: They, in a life so brief, Can taste the purest fountain-head of joy; And surely we, employing reason’s ray, Can forge a chain of gold without alloy, A chain of happiness and peace and love, To climb to gladder realms and happ brighter homes above.
IV. Each man can make or mar his own delight. For ‘tis an inward, not an outward, thing; And each on the swift wing Of faith, and trust, and love may urge his flight To spirit-homes where all is fair and bright, To thoughts and hopes with which the heart-chords ring In joyous sympathy: If to the sun-rise of Eternity A man will set his steadfast face, unmoved By worldly turmoils, with a spirit proved By a true earnestness, Then will he know a happiness Unspeakable, ends unending, undefined –