By Rugged Ways
By rugged ways and thro' the night
We struggle blindly toward the light;
And groping, stumbling, ever pray
For sight of long delaying day.
The cruel thorns beside the road
Stretch eager points our steps to goad,
And from the thickets all about
Detaining hands reach threatening out.
'Deliver us, oh, Lord,' we cry,
Our hands uplifted to the sky.
No answer save the thunder's peal,
And onward, onward, still we reel.
'Oh, give us now thy guiding light;'
Our sole reply, the lightning's blight.
'Vain, vain,' cries one, 'in vain we call;'
But faith serene is over all.
Beside our way the streams are dried,
And famine mates us side by side.
Discouraged and reproachful eyes
Seek once again the frowning skies.
Yet shall there come, spite storm and shock,
A Moses who shall smite the rock,
Call manna from the Giver's hand,
And lead us to the promised land!
The way is dark and cold and steep,
And shapes of horror murder sleep,
And hard the unrelenting years;
But 'twixt our sighs and moans and tears,
We still can smile, we still can sing,
Despite the arduous journeying.
For faith and hope their courage lend,
And rest and light are at the end.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Related quotes
Guiding Light
the road is long, and the road is tough
but we have not traveled it enough.
we do not know what lurks in the dark corners
or behind every shadow.
but our faith and love is our guiding light.
and will always shine bright.
this light will be like a lighthouse beacon
leading you home, and knowing
you'll never be alone.
this guiding light not only shines in our hearts and minds
but will last for all of time.
this is the light of the LORD above,
who always gives his guiding love.
if you guide your heart in the right direction
it will always seek perfection.
look around and you will see
that all nations are longing to be free.
just like a ship stranded at sea
this light is there for you and me.
the mysteries to life we must unravel
for it's a long hard road that we must travel.
so seek the lord and you will find
that true love will unwind.
poem by Louis Rams
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Step Out In Faith
Some seek God’s face both night and day
For months and even years
They’ll kneel and pray and pray and pray
With heart and soul in tears
They know The Lord can do this thing
Their faith in Christ is strong
And so with prayer God’s praise they’ll sing
Believing nothing’s wrong
But faith is not just sitting still
True faith dictates we stand
If through our deeds we do God’s will
Then God will lend a hand
We need to move we need to stir
We need much more than talk
If mighty things will soon occur
We need in faith to walk
Its good to pray its good to praise
But yet there’s so much more
Consulting God in all our ways
Opens many a door
Step out in faith but not as fools
Learn first to understand
Obey The Lord obey His rules
And see God mighty hand
The Lord may love the songs we sing
Our ways are His concern
He’s not a puppet on a string
Nor water tap to turn
Think not The Lord has all to do
When faith has been received
Action must come from me and you
In Him we have believed
poem by Michael P. Johnson
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Sonnet XXII: To Cyriack Skinner
Cyriack, this three years' day these eyes, though clear
To outward view of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun or moon or star throughout the year,
Or man or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, not bate a jot
Of heart or hope, but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied
In liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe talks from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
poem by John Milton
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To the Same
Cyriack, this three years’ day these eyes, though clear,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heaven’s hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope, but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied
In liberty’s defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world’s vain mask
Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
poem by John Milton
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The Onward Course
Our course is onward, onward into light:
What though the darkness gathereth amain,
Yet to return or tarry both are vain.
How tarry, when around us is thick night?
Whither return? what flower yet ever might,
In days of gloom and cold and stormy rain,
Enclose itself in its green bud again,
Hiding from wrath of tempest out of sight?
Courage--we travel through a darksome cave;
But still as nearer to the light we draw,
Fresh gales will reach us from the upper air
And wholesome dews of heaven our foreheads lave,
The darkness lighten more, till full of awe
We stand in the open sunshine unaware.
poem by Richard Chenevix Trench
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Sonnet 22
XXII
Cyriac, this three years' day these eyes, though clear,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, t' have lost them overplied
In liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
poem by John Milton
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Psalm 55
v.1-8,16-18,22
C. M.
Support for the afflicted and tempted soul.
O God, my refuge, hear my cries,
"Behold my flowing tears;
For earth and hell my hurt devise,
And triumph in my fears.
Their rage is leveled at my life,
My soul with guilt they load,
And fill my thoughts with inward strife,
To shake my hope in God.
With inward pain my heart-strings sound,
I groan with ev'ry breath;
Horror and fear beset me round
Amongst the shades of death.
O were I like a feathered dove,
And innocence had wings,
I'd fly, and make a long remove
From all these restless things.
Let me to some wild desert go,
And find a peaceful home;
Where storms of malice never blow,
Temptations never come.
Vain hopes, and vain inventions all
To 'scape the rage of hell!
The mighty God on whom I call,
Can save me here as well.
PAUSE.
By morning light I'll seek his face,
At noon repeat my cry;
The night shall hear me ask his grace,
Nor will he long deny.
God shall preserve my soul from fear,
Or shield me when afraid;
Ten thousand angels must appear,
If he command their aid.
I cast my burdens on the Lord,
The Lord sustains them all;
My courage rests upon his word,
That saints shall never fall.
My highest hopes shall not be vain,
My lips shall spread his praise;
While cruel and deceitful men
Scarce live out half their days.
poem by Isaac Watts
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The Lamp of Life
Always we are following a light,
Always the light recedes; with groping hands
We stretch toward this glory, while the lands
We journey through are hidden from our sight
Dim and mysterious, folded deep in night,
We care not, all our utmost need demands
Is but the light, the light! So still it stands
Surely our own if we exert our might.
Fool! Never can'st thou grasp this fleeting gleam,
Its glowing flame would die if it were caught,
Its value is that it doth always seem
But just a little farther on. Distraught,
But lighted ever onward, we are brought
Upon our way unknowing, in a dream.
poem by Amy Lowell
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To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness
Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear
To outward view, of blemish or of spot;
Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot,
Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear
Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year,
Or man or woman. Yet I argue not
Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear vp and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply'd
In libertyes defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe talks from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content though blind, had I no better guide.
poem by John Milton
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Onward
Have the blasts of sorrow worn thee,
Have the rocks of danger torn thee,
And thus shifted, wreck-like drifted,
Wouldst thou find a port in time?
Vain the quest! That word sublime—
God’s great one word,
Silent never, pealeth ever,
Onward!
Hast thou done all loving duty,
Hast thou clothed thy soul with beauty,
And wouldst rest then, wholly blest then,
In some sunny lapse of time?
Vain the hope! The word sublime—
God’s great one word,
Silent never, pealeth ever,
Onward!
Hast thou won the heart of glory,
Hast thou charmed the tongue of story,
And wouldst pause then for applause then,
Underneath the stars of time?
Vain the lure! That word sublime—
God’s great one word,
Silent never, pealeth ever,
Onward!
Truth and virtue hast thou wrought for,
Faith and freedom hast thou fought for,
And then shrinkest for thou thinkest
Paid is all thy debt in time?
Vain the thought! That word sublime—
God’s great one word,
Silent never, pealeth ever,
Onward!
From endeavour to endeavour,
Journeying with hours for ever,
Or aspiring, or acquiring
This, O man, is life in time,
Urged by that primal word sublime—
God’s great one word,
Silent never, pealeth ever,
Onward!
poem by Charles Harpur
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Never Said It
Wish I would never have said it
But if only admit it
And I will tell you the truth cause that's all I know
So pathetic, you can't ignore how he bought you
He sat you down and he taught you
And you'll obey every rule that he made
Cause he bought you, now he owns you
So don't go away, don't go away
I got something to say about the dark side of me
Dead side of me, light side of me
Dark side of me, dead side of me
I lied to you and you caught me
I shoulda learned what you taught me
And the truth cuts just like a knife,
When you cut me
And I'll do all that I told you
I loved you and I would hold you
But those are just things that I said in my head
But she told you, shoulda told you
I said don't go away, don't go away
Got something to say about the dark side of me
Dead side of me, light side of me
Dark side of me, dead side of me
Just let me be, what I want to be
I said I haven't told you anything
I hold it all inside in vain
I think of you and I think of pain
Now I've told you everything
I said don't go away, don't go away
I got something to say about the dark side of me
(I said I haven't told you anything)
Dead side of me
(I hold it all inside in vain)
Light side of me
(I think of you and I think of pain)
Dark side of me
(Now I've told you everything)
Dead side of me
I said I haven't told you anything
I hold it all inside in vain
I think of you and I think of pain
I never tell you anything
I said I haven't told you anything
I hold it all inside in vain
I think of you and I think of pain
Never said it, so forget it-
song performed by by Papa Roach
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Epitaph. (On a Commonplace Person Who Died in Bed)
THIS is the end of him, here he lies:
The dust in his throat, the worm in his eyes,
The mould in his mouth, the turf on his breast;
This is the end of him, this is best.
He will never lie on his couch awake,
Wide-eyed, tearless, till dim daybreak.
Never again will he smile and smile
When his heart is breaking all the while.
He will never stretch out his hands in vain
Groping and groping--never again.
Never ask for bread, get a stone instead,
Never pretend that the stone is bread.
Never sway and sway 'twixt the false and true,
Weighing and noting the long hours through.
Never ache and ache with chok'd-up sighs;
This is the end of him, here he lies.
3-Way Phone Call
Hello
Hey little brother
Hey sis how you doing?
Fine, what's going on with you?
Oh nothing much
Got your message from earlier this afternoon
And something just didn't sound right
And so I'm calling you back to check on you
How you holding up?
Oh everything is fine
You know I don't believe you
What you saying? You think I'm lying?
I'm not saying it, but I know you
How you know me?
'Cause you're my brother
And therefore I can tell
When something is troubling you
Okay, okay I give you that
Nothing's wrong, I take that back
There is something on my mind
But sis, I don't want to waste your time
But I done told you time and time again
Whatever you're going through
You can come and talk to me
And I will say a prayer with you
But I done prayed and prayed night and day
Mmm-hmm
I still can't seem to find my way
Rob that ain't nothing but the devil telling you
That you're washed up and you're through
But sister's here to let you know
Boy you're gonna make it through
Sister, do you really believe that I can rise again?
Yes, and not only that, Rob, God will forgive you for your sins
T tell me what to do?
Well first you gotta believe the truth
Sometimes it's hard to believe in Him
That's okay because he believes in you
The winds, the rain
The storm
The weapons that are formed against us (whoo, I will survive)
The trying times (oh)
The sleepless nights
Just know that faith is with us (oh, and I believe yeah)
Through all of the hills (oh)
And valleys roamed (just)
That we must come to (whoa)
Walk side by side (yes)
Follow the light (follow)
And know we'll make it through (yeah, we'll make it through yeah)
So, so what you're saying is believe a little more?
Yes, 'cause faith is the key that will opens up the door
What you're saying to me, it's hard to receive
Especially when trouble follows me
When we're keeping it real
Robert sometimes
Trouble can follow where you lead
Yes sister, I know sometimes, but I...
Just wait, let me make a phone call
To who?
A prayer buddy of mine
She can help you tear down your walls
I don't want nobody in my business
She's a friend
And besides you need this
You know how church folk can be
Boy I'm your sister, trust in me
Mmm
Now hold on...
Maybe she's gone...
No
Maybe we ought to just try...
Hello
Shh-shh, hello, is Kim there?
Yes, I think she's around here somewhere
Hold on
Now you just let me do the talking
Mmm-hmm
Hello?
Hey girl, how you doing?
Hey Kelly
My little brother's on the line and needed advice from you
Ooh what can I do for you?
Hello?
Go ahead Rob, she's talking to you
Oh, well I know you must be very busy
So I'm not gon' mess around, uh
Just telling my sister how my life is upside down
And I don't know whether I'm going left or right half the time
Sometimes think I'm gonna lose my mind, you feel me?
Mmm-hmm... similar to what I used to go through
Really?
Yes, and sometimes I still do
Yeah?
See it doesn't matter who you are
Or where you're from
If you struggle, God will use you
Amen sister, what you're saying is so true
Rob are you there?
Yes, I'm just listening to the both of you
It's so easy to say, but not so easy to do
Yes but if you stand the truth
It will free you
Oh
Just stand strong
Stand strong
With your head held high
With your head held high
Said it wont be long
In time he will provide
Mmm-hmm
Will he?
Yes he will
You just stay in the race
Just stay in the race
And keep on running
And down to the end
For your day is coming
For your day is coming
The winds, the rain (whoa)
The storm (I understand)
The weapons that are formed against us (formed against me yeah)
The trying times (oh, trying times)
The sleepless nights (the sleepless nights yeah)
Just know that faith is with us (I know that faith is with me yeah)
Through all of the hills (ooh no)
And valleys roamed (valleys and roads yeah)
That we must come to (whoa, come to)
Walk side by side (side by side)
Follow the light (follow the light)
And know we'll make it through (we'll make it though)
I know it, he'll give you peace
In the midst of your storm
Sometimes I feel like it's too late for me
But he'll never leave you
No way
You just gotta hang on
Hang on
Robert say a prayer (yeah) keep your head (I feel it)
God will do just what he said
Finally I think I get it
Yes, that's it
That's the spirit
The winds, the rain (oh yeah, oh the wind) (yeah)
The storm (ohh winds and rain) (winds and rain)
The weapons that are formed against us (that are formed against you yay) (they may be formed)
The trying times (yeah) (and all of your trying times)
The sleepless nights (every minute)
Just know that faith is with us (yeah) (yes, know that faith is with us) (faith is with us)
Through all of the hills (and through all of the hills) (all the hills)
And valleys roamed (valleys low) (valleys low)
That we must come to (he'll give you strength to keep you strong) (yes he will) (keep you strong)
Walk side by side (the devil is a liar) (yeah)
Follow the light (you will rise again) (alright)
And know we'll make it through (and show the world)
The winds, the rain (yes he does) (hey-yes)
The storm (so if you really want it) (yes I do)
The weapons that are formed against us (fall to your knees and lift your hands, and now repeat after me and say..)
The trying times (God) (God) (I love you) (I love you)
The sleepless nights (I've sinned) (I've sinned) (forgive me) (forgive me)
Just know that faith is with us (I'm sorry) (I'm sorry) (I love you) (I love you) (please) (please) (help me Lord) (help me Lord)
Through all of the hills (I need you) (I need you) (to come) (to come) (into) (into) (my life) (my life)
And valleys roamed (and save me) (and save me)
That we must come to (save me) (save me) (save me) (save me)
Walk side by side (save me) (save me) (save me) (save me)
Follow the light (save me) (save me) (save me) (save me) (yeah) (yeah) (save me) (save me)
And know we'll make it through (yeah) (yeah) (save me yeah) (ohh)
The winds, the rain (I'm gonna have to call y'all back)
The storm
The weapons that are formed against us
The trying times
The sleepless nights...
song performed by by R. Kelly
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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La Sagrada Familia
(lead vocal - john miles)
Who knows where the read may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows if well meet along the way
Follow the brightest star as far as the brave may dare
What will we find when we get there
La sagrada familia we pray the storm will soon be over
La sagrada familia for the lion and the lamb
Who knows where the winds will blow us, only a fool would say
Who knows if well ever reach the shore
Follow a rising sun with eyes that may only stare
What kind of fire will burn us there? what kind of fire?
Only a fool would say
La sagrada falilia the wind has changed the storm is over
La sagrada familia for the lion and the lamb
La sagrada familia we thank the lord the dangers over
La sagrada familia theres peace throughout the land
Under clear blue skies our voices rise in songs of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the world may turn us, only a fool would say
Who knows what the fates may have in store
Follow the light of truth as far as our eyes can see
How should we know where that may be? how should we know?
Then the angry skies, the battle cries, the sounds of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the road may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows whas been lost along the way
Look for the promised land in all of the dreams we share
How will we know when we are there? how will we know?
Only a fool would say
La sagrada falilia the war is won the battles over
La sagrada familia for the lion and the lamb
La sagrada familia we thank the lord the dangers over
La sagrada familia behold the mighty hand
La sagrada familia the night is gone the waitings over
La sagrada familia theres peace throughout the land
Until the next time
Until the next time
La sagrada familia
song performed by by Alan Parsons Project
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Light That Is Felt
A tender child of summers three,
Seeking her little bed at night,
Paused on the dark stair timidly.
'Oh, mother! Take my hand,' said she,
'And then the dark will all be light.'
We older children grope our way
From dark behind to dark before;
And only when our hands we lay,
Dear Lord, in Thine, the night is day,
And there is darkness nevermore.
Reach downward to the sunless days
Wherein our guides are blind as we,
And faith is small and hope delays;
Take Thou the hands of prayer we raise,
And let us feel the light of Thee!
poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Light of Life
You are the Light of Life,
With you there can be no strife!
Beasts in foreign lands,
Feel the pain of your hands,
Those who care to hear,
Need feel no fear,
Your energy, bright,
Be with us all tonight,
In the days when devils ran,
Free across the land,
We looked for your hands,
To still the battles in foreign lands,
Now we look for your touch,
Freedom Lord, we need it much,
The time to make all things clear,
To put the light into life, draws near,
So when you rest at night,
We pray for your light,
We'll put down the mace,
Please give us your Grace,
When we hear your call, or cry,
We will crawl, run or fly,
To be at your side, tonight,
We live to stand in your light.
April 2012
poem by David Andre' Klopper
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Cries In Vain
Your cries in vain,
When you look in my eyes what do you see,
My deep sorrows within,
My cries in vain,
Can’t you see how much you hurt me,
You made me cry for you,
Cries in vain that won’t go away,
Take it all away,
I see you looking,
I see that you are fading,
You are a mere ghost to me,
My sorrows within my tears that you cause me to shed,
I waited too long to cry again and again,
I sit back and hold on tight that I won’t cry ever again,
But when I see you,
I cry,
Can’t you see cries are in vain,
WAKE UP,
And now look at me and tell me what do you see,
All you ever will see is me cry in vain.
poem by Jennifer Rondeau
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War's End Armistice Day 1935
Greyer and older, still they stand
Wearier, quieter, still they pray;
Men who had offered their all to a land.
And their thoughts run back to an olden day
When Youth sailed gallantly, gaily forth
Romance for King, and faith to the fore
To the older, bitterer lands of the north,
To battle, that men might end all war.
Ageing Diggers, grown wiser now,
Again they are dreaming before their shrine
Of the long-gone day when they made the vow
With hearts uplifted, and eyes a-shine.
And thro' their dreaming there drifts to-day
A newer note and a sad refrain,
As their thoughts return to that bitter fray:
'Was it all in vain? Was it all in vain?'
Soberer, sterner, still they hear
Endless thunder of vengeful guns
Echoing out of a long dead year.
And, 'God,' they pray, 'must these our sons
Learn over again all we'd fain forget?
Buy over again their need of peace
Live over again worse madness yet?
Is earth's grim agony never to cease?'
Ageing Diggers before their shrine:
'Is there never a respite, no release?
We who have suffered look for a sign.
Is there never a hope for a lasting peace?
We who have known it all before:
The madness, agony, needless pain
We who once battled to end all war
Was it all in vain? Was it all in vain?'
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis
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Psalm 135
Praise due to God, not to idols.
Awake, ye saints; to praise your King,
Your sweetest passions raise,
Your pious pleasure, while you sing,
Increasing with the praise.
Great is the Lord, and works unknown
Are his divine employ;
But still his saints are near his throne,
His treasure and his joy.
Heav'n, earth, and sea confess his hand;
He bids the vapors rise;
Lightning and storm at his command
Sweep through the sounding skies.
All power that gods or kings have claimed
Is found with him alone
But heathen gods should ne'er be named
Where our Jehovah's known.
Which of the stocks or stones they trust
Can give them showers of rain?
In vain they worship glitt'ring dust,
And pray to gold in vain.
[Their gods have tongues that cannot talk,
Such as their makers gave;
Their feet were ne'er designed to walk,
Nor hands have power to save.
Blind are their eyes, their ears are deaf,
Nor hear when mortals pray;
Mortals that wait for their relief
Are blind and deaf as they.]
O Britain, know thy living God,
Serve him with faith and fear;
He makes thy churches his abode,
And claims thine honors there.
poem by Isaac Watts
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Catholicism
HAST thou not seen the tints unfold,
From earth, sky, sea, and setting sun,
When all the glare of day was done,
And melt in one long stream of gold?
So down the dim-lit glades of time,
5
Age after age, things divers blend,
Each working for the same great end,
And in its working each sublime.
Was it in vain that Buddha taught,
Or that Mohammed lived and died?
10
Have they not, working side by side
In differing climes, God's purpose wrought?
O Christian sage, who lov'st thy creeds!
Think not the ropes that bind thee fast,
Like storm-tossed sailor, to the mast,
15
Can answer yet each brother's needs.
And rail not thou at those half-known,
Who, groping thro' a darker night,
Have found perhaps a dimmer light
Than that thou sternly call'st thine own.
20
Wouldst thou have spent, like them, thy youth,
Thy manhood, and thy weak old age,
In one long search thro' nature's page,
An unassisted search, for truth?
Oh, dream not the Almighty's powers
25
Must ever work in one known way;
Nor think those planets have no day
Whose suns are other suns than ours.
poem by Frederick George Scott
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