The Silver Net

To HILDA.

Hope is a net of silver thread Cast in the swirling stream of life, Where prey with scales of gold and red Is ever hidden, ever rife; Put oft upon the rocky bed, The net is rended in the strife.

Thus ’tis we often toil in vain, Yet never weary of our dream; And looking fondly in the stream, We mend our net and try again.