Circle my soul in its far wanderings

Thro' spirit lands and empyrean heights,

Where though it sink in wide bewilderment,

Thou wilt enfold it in thy dewy arms,

And pillow it to strength and fearlessness!

Be to me like a heaven beyond all Time,

Dreamt of, and worshipped in this pilgrimage—

The habitation of all pure desire,

Solace of sorrow, and the home of rest,

Where I may lay me from life's troublous way,

And feel Eternity rise in my soul!

No, World! the cords that bound me unto thee

Are snapt in sunder ne'er to join again,

Thy voice is waning fainter on mine ear,

And thine allurements powerless and vain.

There springeth up within me a new want,

A perfect yearning for the spiritual,

That shaketh from its pinions all the cares

And interests of earth, like cleaving dust

That clogs its upward winging to the skies.

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