Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOPE AND FEAR, by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOPE AND FEAR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beneath the shadow of dawn's aerial cope
Last Line: "hope thou not much, and fear thou not at all."
Subject(s): Fear; Hope; Youth; Optimism


BENEATH the shadow of dawn's aerial cope,
With eyes enkindled as the sun's own sphere,
Hope from the front of youth in godlike cheer
Looks Godward, past the shades where blind men
grope
Round the dark door that prayers nor dreams can
ope,
And makes for joy the very darkness dear
That gives her wide wings play; nor dreams that
fear
At noon may rise and pierce the heart of hope.
Then, when the soul leaves off to dream and yearn,
May truth first purge her eyesight to discern
What once being known leaves time no power to
appall;
Till youth at last, ere yet youth be not, learn
The kind wise word that falls from years that
fall --
"Hope thou not much, and fear thou not at all."




Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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