 | [Poems by Boker in] The dew-drop |  |
206
TO HOPE.
A SONNET.
Thou art no exhalation of the brain,Raising mid foggy doubts thy phantom light,
To tempt thy followers on from pain to pain—
For ever distant, yet for ever bright:
O no! thy luring rays ne'er shine in vain
Athwart the shadows of uncertain night—
Thou proud incentive to heroic gain,
That waken'st from despair the spirit's might,
And from defeat excit'st to victory!
Though, star-like, thou retreat'st as we advance,
And from our eager grasp wilt ever flee;
Yet, star-like, guid'st thou, with unchanging glance,
In glory streaming towards eternity,
To cast a light beyond the grave's expanse.
| [Poems by Boker in] The dew-drop | |