They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

The name of the Slough was Despond.

The name of the Slough was Despond.

Action is the antidote to despair.

Action is the antidote to despair.

Darkness our guide, Despair our leader was.

Darkness our guide, Despair our leader was.

Despair ruins some, presumption many.

Despair ruins some, presumption many.

But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

O that this too too sullied flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or read more

O that this too too sullied flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter.

There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when read more

There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope.

Discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair.

Discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair.