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3. TO THE PEERS.

Some golden bubbles, in the unquiet air
(Creations of a Childish Fantasy!)
Floating, I saw: lo! bare arms muscular
Approach'd them; and two hands—like Destiny
Crushing old worlds—destroy'd them utterly.
Slight sun-hatch'd creatures, in the calmness veering
Which did precede the storm, as though their fans
Of down were eagle-pinions, nothing fearing

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The assured coming of the hurricanes,
I saw, and pitied for their vain careering:
The mighty winds came on, and mightier storms,
And whirl'd into the dust their insect-forms.
Bubbles and butterflies of men!—Ye Peers!—
Make for yourselves a safety in your fears!