To Hope Poem by Edward Henry Bickersteth

Hail! hope, delicious hope!
Return once more with thy seductive smile,
And chase away these fears;
My weary heart thou dost beguile
Of many tears.
Bright are thy beauteous wings,
And all thy seemings of a roseate hue;
Thy deepest breathings are
Of radiant joys,—yet how untrue
Thy visions fair!
I gaze upon the glowing dream,
And still would gaze, and cheat myself awhile;
Soon will the gay scene fade;
Soon destiny forbid the smile,
And I must wake.
Wake to the daily pains,
To the harsh duties which enthral me round,
And keep me all from thee;
Soon will time pass with leaden sound,
And I must flee.
Flee from thy shrine, bright star,
And leave each idol scattered and o'erthrown;
Nor claim one simple flow'r
From thy gay chaplet o'er the cold earth strown
In that dark hour!