Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN PRAISE OF HOPE, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN PRAISE OF HOPE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hope, of all ills that men endure
Last Line: To which all soon returne that travaile out.
Variant Title(s): For Hope
Subject(s): Hope; Optimism


1.

HOpe, of all Ills that men endure,
The only cheap and universal Cure!
Thou Captiv's Freedome, and thou sick-Man's Health!
Thou Loser's Victory, and thou Beggar's wealth!
Thou Manna, which from Heaven we eat,
To every tast a severall Meat!
Thou strong Retreat! thou sure-entail'd Estate,
Which nought has Power to alienate!
Thou pleasant, honest, Flatterer! for none
Flatter unhappy Men, but thou alone!

2.

Hope, thou first-Fruits of Happinesse!
Thou gentle Dawning of a bright Successe!
Thou good Preparative, without which our Joy
Does work too strong, and whilst it cures, destroy;
Who out of Fortune's reach dost stand,
And art a blessing still in hand!
Whilst Thee, her Earnest-Mony we retain,
We certain are to gaine,
Whether she her bargain break, or else fulfill,
Thou only good, not worse for ending ill!

3.

Brother of Faith, 'twixt whom and Thee
The joyes of Heaven and Earth divided be!
Though Faith be Heire, and have the fixt estate,
Thy Portion yet in Movables is great.
Happinesse it selfe's all one
In Thee, or in Possession!
Only the Future's Thine, the Present His!
Thine's the more hard and noble Bliss;
Best apprehender of our joyes, which hast
So long a reach, and yet canst hold so fast!

4.

Hope, thou sad Lover's only Friend!
Thou Way that may'st dispute it with the End!
For Love I fear's a fruit that does delight
The tast it selfe lesse than the Smell and sight.
Fruition more deceitfull is
Then Thou canst be, when thou dost misse;
Men leave thee by obtaining, and strait flee
Some other way again to Thee;
And that's a pleasant Country, without doubt,
To which all soon returne that travaile out.





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