Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
IdeaSonnet 26. I ever love, where never Hope appears
Michael Drayton (15631631)[First printed in 1594 (No. 37), and in all later editions. ]
To Despair
To Despair
I
Yet Hope draws on my never-hoping care;
And my life’s Hope would die but for Despair;
My never-certain joy breeds ever certain fears.
Uncertain dread gives wings unto my Hope;
Yet my Hope’s wings are laden so with fear
As they cannot ascend to my Hope’s sphere;
Though fear gives them more than a heavenly scope.
Yet this large room is bounded with Despair,
So my Love is still fettered with vain Hope,
And liberty deprives him of his scope,
And thus am I imprisoned in the air.
Then, sweet Despair, awhile hold up thy head!
Or all my Hope, for sorrow, will be dead.