Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IDEA: 26. TO DESPAIR by MICHAEL DRAYTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I EVER LOVE WHERE NEVER HOPE APPEARS
Last Line: OR ALL MY HOPE FOR SORROW WILL BE DEAD.
Subject(s): DESPAIR;
I ever love where never hope appears,
Yet hope draws on my never-hoping care,
And my life's hope would die, but for despair;
My never-certain joy breeds ever-certain fears;
Uncertain dread gives wings unto my hope,
Yet my hope's wings are laden so with fear
As they cannot ascend to my hope's sphere;
Though fear gives them more than a heav'nly scope,
Yet this large room is bounded with despair;
So my love is still fetter'd with vain hope,
And liberty deprives him of his scope,
And thus am I imprison'd in the air.
Then, sweet despair, awhile hold up thy head,
Or all my hope for sorrow will be dead.


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