A silent force marks out the course

Of every man and woman,

No matter what may be the lot

Of creatures that are human,

The end attained is ever gained

By means so strange and hidden,

We call it luck, instead of pluck,

Or fate by fairies bidden.

The human eye cannot descry

All workings of the brain;

At silent night, it gains a might

Which bears a mental train

Whose lucid glow may thrones o'erthrow,

Or bid new nations rise,

May prove some plan whereby proud man

May ransack earth and skies.

Think not such power a fairy's dower,

Or influence from some star,

It did not spring from anything

Beyond what mortals are.

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