Dost reel from righteous retribution’s blow?

Then turn from blotted archives of the past,

And find the future’s pages white as snow.

Art thou a mourner? Rouse thee from thy spell!

Art thou a sinner? Sins may be forgiven.

Each morning gives thee wings to flee from hell,

Each night a star to guide thy feet to heaven.

(2254)


The importance of seizing opportunities as they pass by is realized by astronomers who study the sun’s corona: