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O Thou, the first, the greatest friend
Of all the human race!
Whose strong right hand has ever been
Their stay and dwelling-place!
Before the mountains heav'd their head
Beneath Thy forming hand,
Before this ponderous globe itself
Arose at Thy command:
That Pow'r which rais'd and still upholds
This universal frame,
From countless, unbeginning time
Was ever still the same.
Those might period of years
Which seem to us so vast,
Appear no more before Thy sight
Than yesterday that's past
Thou giv'st the word; They creature, man,
Is to existence brought;
Again Thou say'st, Ye sons of men,
Return ye into nought!'
Thou layest them with all their cares
In everlasting sleep;
As with a flood Thou tak'st them off
With overwhelming sweep.
They flourish like the morning flow'r,
In beauty's pride array'd;
But long ere night cut down it lies
All withere'd and decay'd
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