I travell'd on, seeing the hill, where lay My expectation. A long it was and weary way: The gloomy cave of DesperationI left on th' one, and on the other side The Rock of Pride.
And so I came to Phansies medow strow'd With many a flower: Fain would I here have made abode, But I was quicken'd by my houre.
So to Care's cops I came, and there got through With much ado.
That led me to the wilde of Passion; which Some call the wold; A wasted place, but sometimes rich. Here I was robb'd of all my gold,
Save one good Angell, which a friend had tied Close to my side.
At length I got unto the gladsome hill, Where lay my hope, Where lay my heart; and climbing still, When I had gain'd the brow and top,
A lake of brackish waters on the ground Was all I found.
With that abash'd and struck with many a sting Of swarming fears, I fell, and cry'd,
Alas, my King; Can both the way and end be tears?
Yet taking heart I rose, and then perceiv'd I was deceiv'd:
My hill was further: so I flung away, Yet heard a crie Just as I went,
None goes that way And lives:
If that be all, said I,
After so foul a journey death is fair, And but a chair.(line 17:
Save one good Angell...):
An English gold coin issued from 1470 to 1634, varying in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s. and bearing on its obverse a figure of the archangel Michael killing a dragon.
The "Angell" replaced the 'ryal', or Rose Noble, which was first issued by Edward IV.
