Hope, like the short-lived ray that gleams awhile <br />Through wintry skies, upon the frozen waste, <br />Cheers e'en the face of misery to a smile; <br />But soon the momentary pleasure's past. <br /> <br />How oft, my Delia, since our last farewell, <br />(Years that have rolled since that distressful hour), <br />Grieved I have said, when most our hopes prevail, <br />Our promised happiness is least secure. <br /> <br />Oft I have thought the scene of troubles closed, <br />And hoped once more to gaze upon your charms; <br />As oft some dire mischance has interposed, <br />And snatched the expected blessing from my arms. <br /> <br />The seaman thus, his shattered vessel lost, <br />Still vainly strives to shun the threatening death; <br />And while he thinks to gain the friendly coast, <br />And drops his feet, and feels the sands beneath, <br /> <br />Borne by the wave steep-sloping from the shore, <br />Back to the inclement deep, again he beats <br />The surge aside, and seems to treat secure; <br />And now the refluent wave his baffled toil defeats. <br /> <br />Had you, my love, forbade me to pursue <br />My fond attempt, disdainfully retired, <br />And with proud scorn compelled me to subdue <br />The ill-fated passion by yourself inspired; <br /> <br />Then haply to some distant spot removed, <br />Hopeless to gain, unwilling to molest <br />With fond entreaties whom I dearly loved, <br />Despair or absense had redeemed my rest. <br /> <br />But now, sole partner in my Delia's heart, <br />Yet doomed far off in exile to complain, <br />Eternal absence cannot ease my smart, <br />And hope subsists but to prolong my pain. <br /> <br />Oh, then, kind Heaven, be this my latest breath! <br />Here end my life, or make it worth my care; <br />Absence from whom we love is worse than death, <br />And frustrate hope severer than dismay.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hope-like-the-short-lived-ray-that-gleams-awhile/
