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AFTER-THOUGHT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh life! Without thy chequered scene
Last Line: A portion of god's peace.


O LIFE! without thy chequered scene
Of right and wrong, of weal and woe,
Success and failure, could a ground
For magnanimity be found;
For faith, 'mid ruined hopes, serene?
Or whence could virtue flow?
Pain entered through a ghastly breach --
Nor while sin lasts must effort cease;
Heaven upon earth's an empty boast;
But, for the bowers of Eden lost,
Mercy has placed within our reach
A portion of God's peace.







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