Hope

We speak with the lip, and we dream in the Soul,

Of some better and fairer day

And our days, the meanwhile, to that golden goal

Are gliding and sliding away.

Now the world becomes old, now again it is young

But " The Better" 's forever the word on the tongue.

At the threshold of life, hope leads us in-

Hope plays round the mirthful boy;

Though the best of its charms may with youth begin.

Yet for an age, it reserves its toy.