The prophet's mantle, ere his flight began,
Dropt on the world--a sacred gift to man.

The prophet's mantle, ere his flight began,
Dropt on the world--a sacred gift to man.

Prognostics do not always prove prophecies, at least the wisest
prophets make sure of the event first.

Prognostics do not always prove prophecies, at least the wisest
prophets make sure of the event first.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

No mighty trance, or breathed spell
Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.

No mighty trance, or breathed spell
Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word;
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of read more

Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word;
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be.

Of all the horrid, hideous notes of woe,
Sadder than owl-songs or the midnight blast;
Is that read more

Of all the horrid, hideous notes of woe,
Sadder than owl-songs or the midnight blast;
Is that portentous phrase, "I told you so."

There is a history in all men's lives,
Figuring the nature of the times deceased,
The which read more

There is a history in all men's lives,
Figuring the nature of the times deceased,
The which observed, a man may prophesy,
With a near aim, of the main chance of things
As yet not come to life, which in their seeds
And weak beginnings lie intreasured.

From hence, no question, has sprung an observation
. . . confirmed now into a settled opinion, that some read more

From hence, no question, has sprung an observation
. . . confirmed now into a settled opinion, that some long
experienced souls in the world, before their dislodging, arrive
to the height of prophetic spirit.