Or the vicissitudes earth’s surface knows

Can reach to harm them.

Mayest thou know well

What are these springing waters, wells of life,

By the great Father dug for us at first,

And which, when sin had stopped them, love anew{7}

{7}

Has opened, and has given them their old names

And former virtue[1]; and from these refreshed,

Mayest thou pass onward through the wilderness,

And knowing what of ill is imminent,

And may descend upon us, evermore

Strengthen with faith and prayer, with lofty thought

And effort, and it may be in some part

With soul-sustaining verse, the citadel

Of courage and heroic fortitude,

Which in the centre of a woman’s heart

Is stablished, whatsoever outwardly

Of doubt or womanly weak fear prevail.

{9} 

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