O, ever skilled to wear the form we love! <br />To bid the shapes of fear and grief depart; <br />Come, gentle Hope! with one gay smile remove <br />The lasting sadness of an aching heart. <br />Thy voice, benign Enchantress! let me hear; <br />Say that for me some pleasures yet shall bloom,-- <br />That Fancy's radiance, Friendship's precious tear, <br />Shall soften, or shall chase, misfortune's gloom. <br />But come not glowing in the dazzling ray, <br />Which once with dear illusions charm'd my eye,-- <br />O! strew no more, sweet flatterer! on my way <br />The flowers I fondly thought too bright to die; <br />Visions less fair will soothe my pensive breast, <br />That asks not happiness, but longs for rest!<br /><br />Helen Maria Williams<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-to-hope/
