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RARE DESTINY, by                    
First Line: While there is life within me I will praise
Last Line: My body with such radiant happiness?


While there is life within me I will praise
The gods who, giving life, have made it sweet.
Paeans of adoration will I raise,
And pour libations at their sacred feet.
Music surpassing either lute or lyre,
Incense more fragrant than they ever knew
Shall be my gifts, in this my one desire
To offer sacrifice because of you.
What claim had I on Heaven that she make
An earthly replica of love's own form;
Or give me her celestial wine to slake
A thirst induced by lips mobile and warm?
By what rare destiny came these to bless
My body with such radiant happiness?





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