George Crabbe

Concluding Lines of Prize Poem on Hope

[Before October, 1772.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
But, above all, the POET owns thy powers--
Hope leads him on, and every fear devours;
He writes, and, unsuccessful, writes again,
Nor thinks the last laborious work in vain;
New schemes he forms, and various plots he tries
To win the laurel, and possess the PRIZE.