John Greenleaf Whittier Poems on Light (164 Poems)

The Vision Of Echard (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

The Benedictine EchardSat by the wayside well,Where Marsberg sees the bridalOf the Sarre and the Moselle. Fair with its sloping vineyardsAnd tawny chestnut bloom,The happy vale Ausonius sunkFor holy Treves made room. On the shrine Helena buildedTo keep the Christ … Continue reading →

Questions Of Life (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

A bending staff I would not break,A feeble faith I would not shake,Nor even rashly pluck awayThe error which some truth may stay,Whose loss might leave the soul withoutA shield against the shafts of doubt. And yet, at times, when … Continue reading →

My Soul And I (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

Stand still, my soul, in the silent darkI would question thee,Alone in the shadow drear and starkWith God and me! What, my soul, was thy errand here?Was it mirth or ease,Or heaping up dust from year to year?“Nay, none of … Continue reading →

Ego (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF A FRIEND. On page of thine I cannot traceThe cold and heartless commonplace,A statue’s fixed and marble grace. For ever as these lines I penned,Still with the thought of thee will blendThat of some loved … Continue reading →

The New Year (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

THE wave is breaking on the shore,The echo fading from the chime;Again the shadow moveth o’erThe dial-plate of time!O seer-seen Angel! waiting nowWith weary feet on sea and shore,Impatient for the last dread vowThat time shall be no more!Once more … Continue reading →

A Spiritual Manifestation (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

To-day the plant by Williams setIts summer bloom discloses;The wilding sweethrier of his prayersIs crowned with cultured roses. Once more the Island State repeatsThe lesson that he taught her,And binds his pearl of charityUpon her brown-locked daughter. Is ‘t fancy … Continue reading →

Hymns From The French Of Lamartine (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

I. ”Encore un hymne, O ma lyre Un hymn pour le Seigneur, Un hymne dans mon delire, Un hymne dans mon bonheur.” One hymn more, O my lyre! Praise to the God above, Of joy and life and love, Sweeping its strings of fire! Oh, who the … Continue reading →

At Washington (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

WITH a cold and wintry noon-light.On its roofs and steeples shed,Shadows weaving with t e sunlightFrom the gray sky overhead,Broadly, vaguely, all around me, lies the half-built town outspread.Through this broad street, restless ever,Ebbs and flows a human tide,Wave on … Continue reading →

To ——, (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

WITH A COPY OF WOOLMAN’S JOURNAL. Maiden! with the fair brown tressesShading o’er thy dreamy eye,Floating on thy thoughtful foreheadCloud wreaths of its sky. Youthful years and maiden beauty,Joy with them should still abide,–Instinct take the place of Duty,Love, not … Continue reading →

The Maids Of Attitash (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)

In sky and wave the white clouds swam,And the blue hills of NottinghamThrough gaps of leafy greenAcross the lake were seen, When, in the shadow of the ashThat dreams its dream in Attitash,In the warm summer weather,Two maidens sat together. … Continue reading →