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

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

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.

A tunnel underneath the sea from Calais straight to Dover, Sir,
The squeamish folks may cross by land from read more

A tunnel underneath the sea from Calais straight to Dover, Sir,
The squeamish folks may cross by land from shore to shore,
With sluices made to drown the French, if e'er they would come
over, Sir,
Has long been talk'd of, till at length 'tis thought a monstrous
bore.

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.

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."

Prophet of evil! never hadst thou yet
A cheerful word for me. To mark the signs
Of read more

Prophet of evil! never hadst thou yet
A cheerful word for me. To mark the signs
Of coming mischief is thy great delight,
Good dost thou ne'er foretell nor bring to pass.

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.

Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life!
The evening beam that smiles the clouds away,
read more

Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life!
The evening beam that smiles the clouds away,
And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray!

My gran'ther's rule was safer 'n 't is to crow:
Don't never prophesy--onless ye know.

My gran'ther's rule was safer 'n 't is to crow:
Don't never prophesy--onless ye know.