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The Works of Michael Drayton

Edited by J. William Hebel

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26

[I ever love, where never Hope appeares]

I ever love, where never Hope appeares,

To Despaire.


Yet Hope drawes on my never-hoping Care,
And my Lives Hope would die, but for Despaire.
My never-certaine Joy breeds ever-certaine Feares,
Uncertaine Dread gives Wings unto my Hope;
Yet my Hopes Wings are laden so with Feare,
As they cannot ascend to my Hope's Sphere;
Though Feare gives them more then a Heav'nly Scope,
Yet this large Roome is bounded with Despaire,
So my Love is still fett'red with vaine Hope,
And Liberty deprives him of his Scope,
And thus am I imprison'd in the Aire:
Then, sweet Despaire, awhile hold up thy head,
Or all my Hope for Sorrow will be dead.