James Russell Lowell Poems on Life (72 Poems)

Fitz Adam’s Story (James Russell Lowell Poems)

The next whose fortune ’twas a tale to tellWas one whom men, before they thought, loved well,And after thinking wondered why they did,For half he seemed to let them, half forbid,And wrapped him so in humors, sheath on sheath,‘Twas hard … Continue reading →

Heartsease And Rue: Friendship (James Russell Lowell Poems)

I.AGASSIZ Come Dicesti _egli ebbe?_ non viv’ egli ancora? Non fiere gli occhi suoi lo dolce lome? I The electric nerve, whose instantaneous thrillMakes next-door gossips of the antipodes,Confutes poor Hope’s last fallacy of ease,–The distance that divided her from … Continue reading →

Mr. Hosea Biglow’s Speech In March Meeting (James Russell Lowell Poems)

I don’t much s’pose, hows’ever I should plen it,I could git boosted into th’ House or Sennit,–Nut while the twolegged gab-machine’s so plenty,‘nablin’ one man to du the talk o’ twenty;I’m one o’ them thet finds it ruther hardTo mannyfactur’ … Continue reading →

Birdofredum Sawin; Esq., To Mr. Hosea Biglow (2) (James Russell Lowell Poems)

I hed it on my min’ las’ time, when I to write ye started,To tech the leadin’ featurs o’ my gittin’ me convarted;But, ez my letters hez to go clearn roun’ by way o’ Cuby,‘Twun’t seem no staler now than … Continue reading →

Under The Old Elm (James Russell Lowell Poems)

Poem Read At Cambridge On The Hundredth Anniversary Of Washington’s Taking Command Of The American ArmyI Words pass as wind, but where great deeds were doneA power abides transfused from sire to son:The boy feels deeper meanings thrill his ear,That … Continue reading →

Under The Willows (James Russell Lowell Poems)

Frank-hearted hostess of the field and wood,Gypsy, whose roof is every spreading tree,June is the pearl of our New England year.Still a surprisal, though expected long.Her coming startles. Long she lies in wait,Makes many a feint, peeps forth, draws coyly … Continue reading →

Mason And Slidell: A Yankee Idyll (James Russell Lowell Poems)

TO THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLYI love to start out arter night’s begun,An’ all the chores about the farm are done,The critters milked an’ foddered, gates shet fast,Tools cleaned aginst to-morrer, supper past.An’ Nancy darnin’ by her ker’sene lamp,–I … Continue reading →

Pictures From Appledore (James Russell Lowell Poems)

I A heap of bare and splintery cragsTumbled about by lightning and frost,With rifts and chasms and storm-bleached jags,That wait and growl for a ship to be lost;No island, but rather the skeletonOf a wrecked and vengeance-smitten one,Where, aeons ago, … Continue reading →

Prometheus (James Russell Lowell Poems)

One after one the stars have risen and set,Sparkling upon the hoarfrost on my chain:The Bear, that prowled all night about the foldOf the North-star, hath shrunk into his den.Scared by the blithesome footsteps of the Dawn,Whose blushing smile floods … Continue reading →

An Ode For The Fourth Of July (James Russell Lowell Poems)

Entranced I saw a vision in the cloudThat loitered dreaming in yon sunset sky,Full of fair shapes, half creatures of the eye,Half chance-evoked by the wind’s fantasyIn golden mist, an ever-shifting crowd:There, ‘mid unreal forms that came and wentIn air-spun … Continue reading →