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OST rare is still most noble found,Most noble still most incomplete;Sad law, which leaves King Love uncrown’dIn this obscure, terrestrial seat!With bale more sweet than others’ bliss,And bliss more wise than others’ bale,The secrets of the world are his.And freedom without let or pale.O, zealous good, O, virtuous glee,Religious, and without alloy,O, privilege high, which none but heWho highly merits can enjoy;O, Love, who art that fabled sunWhich all the world with bounty loads,Without respect of realms, save one,And gilds with double lustre Rhodes;A day of whose delicious life,Though full of terrors, full of tears,Is better than of other lifeA hundred thousand million years;Thy heavenly splendour magnifiesThe least commixture of earth’s mould,Cheapens thyself in thine own eyes,And makes the foolish mocker bold.
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