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COMFORT.
Hast thou beneath another's stern control Bent thy sad soul,And wasted sacred hopes and precious tears? Yet calm thy fears,For thou canst gain, even from the bitterest part, A stronger heart.
Has Fate o'erwhelmed thee with some sudden blow? Let thy tears flow;But know when storms are past, the heavens appear More pure, more clear;And hope, when farthest from their shining rays, For brighter days.
Hast thou found life a cheat, and worn in vain Its iron chain?Has thy soul bent beneath earth's heavy bond¢ Look thou beyond;If life is bitter—there forever shine Hopes more divine.
Art thou alone, and does thy soul complain It lives in vain?Not vainly does he live who can endure. O be thou sure,That he who hopes-and suffers here, can earn A sure return.
Hast thou found naught within thy troubled life Save inward strife?Hast thou found all she promised thee, Deceit, And Hope a cheat?Endure, and there shall dawn within thy breast Eternal rest!
