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The world, in all its boasted grandeur proud, In all its stores of dazzling splendour bright, Is but a transient, unsubstantial cloud, Which the sun skirts with momentary light: Anon, the assailing winds impetuous rise, Black lowers the tempest in the sullen sky; Before the driving blast the vision dies, And all the vivid tints of splendour fly: Pass but a moment, every ray is gone: Nor e’en a vestige left where the bright glories shone. And shall we, for this visionary gleam, Degenerate, swerve from Heaven’s immortal plan? Give up, for vanity’s light airy dream, The nobler heritage reserved for man? Though rocks their cragged heads in ambush hide, Though storms and tempests sweep the angry main, While Hope’s fair star shines forth, auspicious guide, E’en tempests, storms, and rocks oppose in vain. Safe, ’mid the ocean’s iterated force, The sacred vessel shapes her Heaven-directed course.

The world, in all its boasted grandeur proud, In all its stores of dazzling splendour bright, Is but a transient, unsubstantial cloud, Which the sun skirts with momentary light: Anon, the assailing winds impetuous rise, Black lowers the tempest in the sullen sky; Before the driving blast the vision dies, And all the vivid tints of splendour fly: Pass but a moment, every ray is gone: Nor e’en a vestige left where the bright glories shone. And shall we, for this visionary gleam, Degenerate, swerve from Heaven’s immortal plan? Give up, for vanity’s light airy dream, The nobler heritage reserved for man? Though rocks their cragged heads in ambush hide, Though storms and tempests sweep the angry main, While Hope’s fair star shines forth, auspicious guide, E’en tempests, storms, and rocks oppose in vain. Safe, ’mid the ocean’s iterated force, The sacred vessel shapes her Heaven-directed course.
Samuel Hayes (identity unresolved)

In print by 1888 AD · industrial

Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.

Meaning not yet available

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Attribution & collection notes
Author or tradition
Samuel Hayes (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown
Country attributed
Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.
Historical period
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken.
Recorded source
A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)

Page 292 · printed citation: Samuel Hayes · subject: HEAVEN—HEAVENS

A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.