Poem by Michael Drayton

Sonnet 26. I Ever Love

     To Despair

I ever love where never hope appears,
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 heav'nly scope,
Yet this large room is bounded with despair;
So my love is still fetter'd with vain hope,
And liberty deprives him of his scope,
And thus am I imprison'd in the air.
    Then, sweet despair, awhile hold up thy head, 
    Or all my hope for sorrow will be dead.

1. Sonnet 57. You Best Discern'd of my Mind's Inward Eyes
2. Sonnet 47. In Pride of Wit
3. Sonnet 38. Sitting Alone, Love
4. Sonnet 55. My Fair
5. Sonnet 35. Some, Misbelieving and Profane in Love

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