Hope

Green ravisher of human life,
mad Hope, gilded frenzy,
the waking man's sleep,
confused and proud of its treasures as of its dreams;

soul of the world, flourishing senility,
decrepit and imaginary prime,
the today desired by the lucky,
and the unlucky man's tomorrow;

let them follow your name in search of your light,
those who wear green-tinted glasses
and see all as they would desire it;

But I, wiser in my fortune,
keep both my eyes in my two hands,
and see only what I touch.

San Juana de la Cruz, qoutes in this amazing blog of a celtic studies prof at oxford, d read his essay on Taleisn.