| Since disappointment and despair
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| The vainness of al hopes declare
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| Since toss’d upon this restless main
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| I strive 'gainst wind and waves in vain
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| The more I struggle for the shore
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| Misfortunes overwhelm the more
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| Then since I struggle to maintain
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| And strive alas to live in vain
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| I’ll hope no more--since prov’d and tried
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| The feeble light she once supplied
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| Resembled but a taper’s ray
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| That only burns to die away
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| And leave one lost in endless night
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| (My follies but exposed to sight)
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| Then come misfortunes as you will
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| Oppressions sink we lower still
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| Haste keen despair and urge my doom
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| And all that haunt the wretched come
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| Fate from my heart all fears expunge
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| I stand resolv’d to take the plunge
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| Oh thou great Being who resides
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| Far above where yon ether glides
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| Whose power almighty piercing eye
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| Marks all on earth in air and sky
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| Who oft (such care we ought to praise)
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| This sand-grain call’d a world surveys
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| Nor deems unworthy of thy care
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| Vain men as worthless as we are
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| Wh ooft with liberal hands bestows
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| Thy guiding mercy here below
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| And while our sins so multiply
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| Like mountains heap’d before thee lie
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| So loath — so tempted to chastize
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| And then to bless us in disguise
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| To disappoint our restless schemes
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| Our airy hopes and foolish dreams
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| Is but to prove the empty shew
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| Or painting happiness below
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| Oh thou that hears the wretched call
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| Thou universal friend to all… |