False hope prolongs my ever-certain grief, Trait'rous to me and faithful to my love; A thousand times it promised me relief, Yet never any true effect I prove. Oft when I find in her no truth at all, I banish her, and blame her treachery; Yet soon again I must her back recall, As one that dies without her company. Thus often as I chase my hope from me, Straightway she hastes her unto Delia's eyes; Fed with some pleasing look there shall she be, And so sent back, and thus my fortune lies. Looks feed my hope, hope fosters me in vain; Hopes are unsure when certain is my pain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE FOR THE BURIAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT PASSAGE TO INDIA by WALT WHITMAN THE MORAL FABLES: THE SWALLOW, AND THE OTHER BIRDS by AESOP FOUR SONNETS: 4 by FRANK DAVIS ASHBURN |