despond

lannistua To give up the will, courage, or spirit; to become dejected, lose heart.
(quote-book)|title=w:Aeneid The Aeneid of Virgil|publisher=|by=(w)|page=176|passage=Yet still despond not, but proceedAlong the path where fate may lead.
Scott's Letters

I should despair, or at least despond.

Others depress their own minds, and despond at the first difficulty.

We wish that (..) desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our national power still stand strong.