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THE WISH, by                    
First Line: How short is life's uncertain space
Last Line: "and yet above contempt!"
Subject(s): Contentment; Life; Mediocrity


"How short is life's uncertain space!
Alas! how quickly done!
How swift the wild precarious chase!
And yet how difficult the race!
How very hard to run!

Since then false joys our fancy cheat
With hopes of real bliss,
Ye guardian powers that rule my fate,
The only wish that I create
Is all comprised in this:

May I through life's uncertain tide
Be still from pain exempt;
May all my wants be still supplied,
My state too low t'admit of pride,
And yet above contempt!"





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