Hope
Hope's Gifts
The speaker reflects on a series of exchanges with Hope, where each gift given is met with a symbolic counterpart, culminating in a decision to bring no more gifts.
I gave Hope a watch of mine, but he gave me an anchor. Then I presented an old prayer book, and he sent me a telescope.1 Also, I have a vial full of tears, but he has a few green ears of grain. Ah, loiterer!2 I'll bring no more, I'll bring no more: I expected a ring.3
Read the original English
I Gave to Hope a watch of mine: but he An anchor gave to me. Then an old prayer-book I did present: And he an optick sent. With that I have a viall full of tears: But he a few green eares: Ah Loyterer! I’le no more, no more I’le bring: I did expect a ring.
Notes
- 1 ↩Source 'optick' is early modern for an optical glass (spyglass/telescope); rendered as telescope for contemporary clarity.
- 2 ↩Source 'green eares' means unripe ears of grain (promise of future harvest), not human ears; 'Loyterer' modernized to loiterer (one who delays).
- 3 ↩The 'ring' is the speaker's expected pledge or token of sealed covenant; Hope has given provisional signs (anchor, optic, green ears) rather than final assurance.
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