| J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921. | | | | Hope | | By Mary Leapor (1722–1746) |
| | (Where it may reasonably be cherished)
IF trifling Hope has any room to plead, | |
| ’Tis that where Nature’s simple dictates lead: | |
| So the wet hind, who travels o’er the plain | |
| Through the cold mire and the afflicting rain; | |
| Tho’ his low roofs with trickling showers run, | 5 |
| May hope next morn to see the chearful sun: | |
| Or when keen hunger at the evening tide | |
| Drives home the shepherd to his rustick bride, | |
| His honest reason haply might not stray, | |
| Tho’ he should dream of dumpling all the way. | 10 | | | |
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