Cheerfulness Taught By Reason

Cheerfulness Taught By Reason

I THINK we are too ready with complaint

In this fair world of Gods. Had we no hope

Indeed beyond the zenith and the slope

Of yon gray blank of sky, we might grow faint

To muse upon eternitys constraint

Round our aspirant souls; but since the scope

Must widen early, is it well to droop,

For a few days consumed in loss and taint ?

O pusillanimous Heart, be comforted

And, like a cheerful traveller, take the road

Singing beside the hedge. What if the bread

Be bitter in thine inn, and thou unshod

To meet the flints ? At least it may be said

Because the way is short, I thank thee, God.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning