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The Truth of Truths perchance man ne'er may know,
Yet he the search for it may not forego:
'Tis good to climb the mountain's craggy side,
Though we reach not its pinnacle of snow.
Yet he the search for it may not forego:
'Tis good to climb the mountain's craggy side,
Though we reach not its pinnacle of snow.
Falsehood's a harlot with seductive smile,
Practised in every loose and wanton wile;
To every temper she doth suit herself
By flattery, cajolery, or guile:
Practised in every loose and wanton wile;
To every temper she doth suit herself
By flattery, cajolery, or guile:
But Truth all art or artifice disdains,
No painting uses, no false beauty feigns;
Cares not though men regardless pass her by,
And all-sufficient to herself remains.
No painting uses, no false beauty feigns;
Cares not though men regardless pass her by,
And all-sufficient to herself remains.
Though she may seem to wear a frowning face,
Shrink not, but dare approach her and embrace,
And then her veil falls off and you behold
Imperial beauty and celestial grace.
Shrink not, but dare approach her and embrace,
And then her veil falls off and you behold
Imperial beauty and celestial grace.
1899
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