His clotted locks he backward threw, Scott's "Lady of the Lake," Canto v. HOPE ON, HOPE EVER. Hope on, hope ever! though to-day be dark, The iron may enter in and pierce thy soul, But cannot kill the love within thee burning: The tears of misery, thy bitter dole,5 Can never quench thy true heart's seraph yearning 1 Mist. Roderick's eyes were becoming dim from his loss of blood. ? Erring, wandering from the mark. 3 Guerdon, to reward. 4 Sordid, base, mean. 5 Dole, portion or share. For better things: nor crush thy ardour's trust, That error from the mind shall be uprooted, That truths shall dawn as flowers spring from the dust, And Love be cherished where Hate was embruted!! Hope on, hope ever. I know 'tis hard to bear the sneer and taunt,- While rich rogues in their stolen luxury nestle; Hope on, hope ever! after darkest night, Comes, full of loving life, the laughing Morning; And all Earth's family love one another! Gerald Massey. 1 Embruted, made brutish or savage. Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London. |