For Hope.

HOpe, of all Ills that men endure,
The onely cheap and Universal Cure!
Thou Captives freedom, and Thou sick Mans Health!
Thou Losers Victo'ry, and thou Beggars wealth!
Thou Manna, which from Heav'n we eat,
To every Taste a several Meat!
Thou strong Retreat! thou sure entail'd Estate,
Which nought has power to alienate!
Thou pleasant, honest Flatterer! for none
Flatter unhappy Men, but thou alone!

Hope, thou First-fruits of Happiness!
Thou gentle Dawning of a bright Success!
Thou good Prepar'ative, without which our Ioy
Does work too strong, and whilst it cures, destroy▪
Who out of Fortunes reach dost stand,
And art a blessing still in hand!
Whilst Thee, her Earnest-Money we retain,
We certain are to gain,
Whether she'her bargain break, or else fulfill;
Thou onely good, not worse, for ending ill!

Brother of Faith, 'twixt whom and Thee
The joys of Heav'n and Earth divided bee!
Though Faith be Heir, and have the fixt estate,
Thy Portion yet in Moveables is great.
Happiness it self's all one
In Thee, or in possession!
Onely the Future's Thine, the present His!
Thine's the more hard and noble bliss;
Best apprehender of our joys, which hast
So long a reach, and yet canst hold so fast!

Hope, thou sad Lovers onely Friend!
Thou Way that maist dispute it with the End!
For Love I fear's a fruit that does delight
The taste it self less then the Smell and Sight.
Fruition more deceitful is
Then Thou canst be, when thou dost miss;
Men leave thee by obtaining, and strait flee
Some other way again to Thee;
And that's a pleasant Countrey, without doubt,
To which all soon return that travel out.