THE VOYAGE OF LIFE.
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Now he has come to those sunny isles;By him a radiant being stands;Heavenly light in her beaming eyeTelleth at once her celestial birth;And in melodious tones she saith,"Welcome, O Youth! to the isles of Hope.Moor here thy bark for a little while;Wander with me o'er this lovely realm.First, then, O Youth! let me guide thy wayWhere in her temple Religion waits,Pearl without price unto thee to give:Mayest thou, Youth, this fair pearl receive.Keep it forever, if thou wouldst reachCity of Light on the mount of God.Only to those who shall bring this pearlAngels will open its golden gates.Seest thou that temple with lofty dome?Wisdom and Truth there thy coming wait,Counsels to give thee to guide thy way."Led by the goddess of Hope, the youthBows at Religion's most holy shrine,And from her hand he receives the pearl;And in the temple with lofty domeCounsels from Wisdom and Truth receives,Wanders by fountains of pure delight,Wanders through shadowy groves and bowers.Then he unmoors his frail bark once more,
