The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/For Hope
FOR HOPE.
Hope! of all ills that men endure,The only cheap and universal cure!Thou captive's freedom, and thou sick man's health!Thou loser's victory, and thou beggar's wealth!Thou manna, which from heaven we eat,To every taste a several meat!Thou strong retreat! thou sure-entail'd estate,Which nought has power to alienate! Thou pleasant, honest flatterer! for noneFlatter unhappy men, but thou alone!
Hope! thou first-fruits of happiness!Thou gentle dawning of a bright success!Thou good preparative, without which our joyDoes work too strong, and, whilst it cures, destroy!Who out of Fortune's reach dost stand,And art a blessing still in hand!Whilst thee, her earnest-money, we retain,We certain are to gain,Whether she' her bargain break, or else fulfil;Thou only good, not worse for ending ill!
Brother of Faith! 'twixt whom and theeThe joys of heaven and earth divided be!Though Faith be heir, and have the fixt estate,Thy portion yet in moveables is great.Happiness itself 's all oneIn thee, or in possession!Only the future's thine, the present his!Thine's the more hard and noble bliss:Best apprehender of our joys! which hastSo long a reach, and yet canst hold so fast!
Hope! thou sad lovers' only friend!Thou Way, that mayst dispute it with the End!For Love, I fear, 's a fruit that does delightThe taste itself less than the smell and sight.Fruition more deceitful is Than thou canst be, when thou dost miss;Men leave thee by obtaining, and straight fleeSome other way again to thee;And that's a pleasant country, without doubt,To which all soon return that travel out.