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Gerard & Isabel

A Romance in Form of Cantefable. By Francis William Bourdillon

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24

[In the heart's young sorrow]

In the heart's young sorrow
What can bring assuaging,
What but Hope, Hope only?
Hope, thou dearest angel
In the host of Heaven,
What were earth without thee?
In the Spring thou shinest,
In the opening flower,
In the evening rainbow.
What were man without thee?
Death had no defeating,
Grief no counter-vailing,
Youth no heart for living,
Age no cheer in dying.
Therefore do men hail thee,
Hope, the dearest angel
In the host of Heaven,
And of Heaven's mercies
First and best and greatest.