Hope and memory

        Lord Byron (1788-1824)

They say that Hope is happiness,
But genuine love must prize the passed.
And memory wakes the thoughts that bless.
They rose the first, they set the last.

And all that memory loves the most,
was once our only Hope to be.
And all that Hope adored and lost,
has melted into memory.

Alás..., it is delusion* all.
The future cheats us from afar.
Nor can we be what we recall,
nor can we think on what we are.

*delusion = ontgoocheling