Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOPES, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOPES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tho' day by day old hopes depart
Last Line: And forward-looking eyes.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Subject(s): Courage; Hope; Valor; Bravery; Optimism


THO' day by day old hopes depart,
Yet other hopes arise
If still we bear a hopeful heart
And forward-looking eyes.

Of all that entered hand in hand
With me the dusty plains --
Look round! -- not one remains,
Not one remains of all the jovial band.

Some fell behind, some hastened on;
Some, scattered far and wide,
Sought lands on every side;
One way or other, all the band are gone.

Yes, all are gone; and yet, at night,
New objects of desire
People the sunken fire
And new hopes whisper sweetly new delight;

And still, flush-faced, new goals I see,
New finger-posts I find,
And still thro' rain and wind
A troop of shouting hopes keep step with me.

Tho' day by day old hopes depart,
Yet other hopes arise
If still we bear a hopeful heart
And forward-looking eyes.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net