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 XXVIII. 
XXVIII. THE POETRY OF THE FUTURE.
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XXVIII. THE POETRY OF THE FUTURE.

[_]

An anticipation addressed to a young authoress.

Go forth, fair Book! Go, countenanced like that Man
Upon whose brow all Eden's light was stayed;
Beauteous as Truth, go forth to cheer and aid,
Breathing of greatness ours ere sin began;
With angel-wing from eyes earth-wearied fan
Convention's mist; revive great hopes that fade;
Bid nature rule where reigned but masquerade;
Bear witness to that joy divine which ran
Down to creation's heart, while, bending o'er it,
The great Creator saw that all was good,
That mightier joy, when, dying to restore it,
He rose Who washed it in His conquering Blood:
Go forth, a seer in minstrel raiment clad;
Say to the meek, ‘Be strong;’ the pure, ‘Be glad!’