Hope And Despair

Said God, 'You sisters, ere ye go

Down among men, my work to do,

I will on each a badge bestow:

Hope I love best, and gold for her,

Yet a silver glory for Despair,

For she is my angel too.'

Then like a queen, Despair

Put on the stars to wear.

But Hope took ears of corn, and round

Her temples in a wreath them bound.--

Which think ye lookt the more fair?