 | The select poems of Dr. Thomas Dunn English (exclusive of the "Battle lyrics") |  |
“DON'T LOOK FOR THE BRIDGE TILL YOU COME TO THE STREAM.”
Why anticipate possible trouble to-day
For a morrow whose dawn has not risen before you?
Why darken the sunlight that falls in your way
By the cloud of a sorrow which has not come o'er you?
Let the quaint, homely saying but enter your mind,
(In the backwoods they hold it in highest esteem),
And good common sense in its teaching you'll find—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
For a morrow whose dawn has not risen before you?
Why darken the sunlight that falls in your way
By the cloud of a sorrow which has not come o'er you?
Let the quaint, homely saying but enter your mind,
(In the backwoods they hold it in highest esteem),
And good common sense in its teaching you'll find—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
Our life is a journey; the road may be rough:
Ruts, boulders and quicksands the pathway may cumber;
We shall find all these obstacles quickly enough,
And a map made by gloom will not lessen their number.
The trouble we fight with before it appears,
At the time of its coming much harder will seem;
And the eyes worn with watching fill quickly with tears—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
Ruts, boulders and quicksands the pathway may cumber;
We shall find all these obstacles quickly enough,
And a map made by gloom will not lessen their number.
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At the time of its coming much harder will seem;
And the eyes worn with watching fill quickly with tears—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
With gratitude deep for what good you enjoy,
All needless anxiety speedily bury;
When foreboding of crosses appears to annoy,
Fling it off as a burthen, eat, drink, and be merry.
Attend to your duty; be cheerful and strong;
Where sunshine is brightest, there bask in its beam;
Keep your courage alive for your battle with wrong—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
All needless anxiety speedily bury;
When foreboding of crosses appears to annoy,
Fling it off as a burthen, eat, drink, and be merry.
Attend to your duty; be cheerful and strong;
Where sunshine is brightest, there bask in its beam;
Keep your courage alive for your battle with wrong—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
You may say 'tis your forethought that darkens the air;
That your brain bids you look for the ills of to-morrow;
To provide for your needs shows your prudence and care,
But wait till its need to provide for your sorrow.
Look out, if you will, but look out for the best;
Who knows but the future with triumph may teem?
Meet what comes when it comes; leave to Heaven the rest—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
That your brain bids you look for the ills of to-morrow;
To provide for your needs shows your prudence and care,
But wait till its need to provide for your sorrow.
Look out, if you will, but look out for the best;
Who knows but the future with triumph may teem?
Meet what comes when it comes; leave to Heaven the rest—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
Who broods over trouble before it is here,
Finds endurance to bear it grow less with the brooding;
To magnify danger will magnify fear,
And doubt is a dastard wherever intruding.
Content with the joy that the present inspires,
No more on the wo that may come to you dream;
Meet Fate, when it strikes, with the force it requires—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
Finds endurance to bear it grow less with the brooding;
To magnify danger will magnify fear,
And doubt is a dastard wherever intruding.
Content with the joy that the present inspires,
No more on the wo that may come to you dream;
Meet Fate, when it strikes, with the force it requires—
Don't look for the bridge till you come to the stream.
| The select poems of Dr. Thomas Dunn English (exclusive of the "Battle lyrics") | |