Hope is the counterpoise of fear While night enthralls us here. Fear hath a startled eye that holds a tear: Hope hath an upward glance, for dawn draws near With sunshine and with cheer. Fear gazing earthwards spies a bier; And sets herself to rear A lamentable tomb where leaves drop sere, Bleaching to congruous skeletons austere: Hope chants a funeral hymn most sweet and clear, And seems true chanticleer Of resurrection and of all things dear In the oncoming endless year. Fear ballasts hope, hope buoys up fear, And both befit us here. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEVER TOO LATE: THE PALMER'S ODE by ROBERT GREENE EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: 'EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE' by RUDYARD KIPLING ADONAIS; AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF JOHN KEATS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY A MATCH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE APOLOGY OF THE BISHOPS IN ANSWER TO BONNER'S GHOST by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |