'
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
James Russell Lowell
poetry.
THE COMPLETE POETICAL
WORKS OF
JAMES RUSSELL
LOWELL
Cabinet Edition
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
THE RIVERSIDE PRESS, CAMBRIDGE
M DCCCC II
PUBLISHERS' NOTE
Mr. Lowell, the year before he died, edited a definitive edition of his
works, known as the Riverside edition. Subsequently, his literary
executor, Mr. C. E. Norton, issued a final posthumous collection, and the
Cambridge edition followed, including all the poems in the Riverside
edition, and the poems edited by Mr. Norton. The present Cabinet edition
contains all the poems in the Cambridge edition. It is made from new
plates, and for the convenience of the student the longer poems have
their lines numbered, and indexes of titles and first lines are added.
_Autumn, 1899_.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EARLIER POEMS.
THRENODIA
THE SIRENS
IRENE
SERENADE
WITH A PRESSED FLOWER
THE BEGGAR
MY LOVE
SUMMER STORM
LOVE
TO PERDITA, SINGING
THE MOON
REMEMBERED MUSIC
SONG. TO M. L.
ALLEGRA
THE FOUNTAIN
ODE
THE FATHERLAND
THE FORLORN
MIDNIGHT
A PRAYER
THE HERITAGE
THE ROSE: A BALLAD
SONG, 'VIOLET! SWEET VIOLET! '
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
I. TO A. C. L.
II. 'WHAT WERE I, LOVE, IF I WERE STRIPPED OF THEE? '
III. 'I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PERFECT LOVE OF OURS'
IV. 'FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I SEEK IN VAIN'
V. TO THE SPIRIT OF KEATS
VI. 'GREAT TRUTHS ARE PORTIONS OF THE SOUL OF MAN'
VII. 'I ASK NOT FOR THOSE THOUGHTS, THAT SUDDEN LEAP'
VIII. TO M. W. , ON HER BIRTHDAY
IX. 'MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE'
X. 'I CANNOT THINK THAT THOU SHOULDST PASS AWAY'
XI. 'THERE NEVER YET WAS FLOWER FAIR IN VAIN'
XII. SUB PONDERE CRESCIT
XIII. 'BELOVED, IN THE NOISY CITY HERE'
XIV. ON READING WORDSWORTH'S SONNETS IN DEFENCE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
XV. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVI. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVIII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XIX. THE SAME CONCLUDED.
XX. TO M. O. S.
XXI. 'OUR LOVE IS NOT A FADING, EARTHLY FLOWER'
XXII. IN ABSENCE
XXIII. WENDELL PHILLIPS
XXIV. THE STREET
XXV. 'I GRIEVE NOT THAT RIPE KNOWLEDGE TAKES AWAY'
XXVI. TO J. R. GIDDINGS
XXVII. 'I THOUGHT OUR LOVE AT FULL, BUT I DID ERR'
L'ENVOI
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
A LEGEND OF BRITTANY
PROMETHEUS
THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS
THE TOKEN
AN INCIDENT IN A RAILROAD CAR
RHOECUS
THE FALCON
TRIAL
A GLANCE BEHIMD THE CURTAIN
A CHIPPEWA LEGEND
STANZAS ON FREEDOM
COLUMBUS
AN INCIDENT OF THE FIRE AT HAMBURG
THE SOWER
HUNGER AND COLD
THE LANDLORD
TO A PINE-TREE
SI DESCENDERO IN INFERNUM, ADES
TO THE PAST
TO THE FUTURE
HEBE
THE SEARCH
THE PRESENT CRISIS
AN INDIAN-SUMMER REVERIE
THE GROWTH OF THE LEGEND
A CONTRAST
EXTREME UNCTION
THE OAK
AMBROSE
ABOVE AND BELOW
THE CAPTIVE
THE BIRCH-TREE
AN INTERVIEW WITH MILES STANDISH
ON THE CAPTURE OF FUGITIVE SLAVES NEAR WASHINGTON
TO THE DANDELION
THE GHOST-SEER
STUDIES FOR TWO HEADS
ON A PORTRAIT OF DANTE BY GIOTTO
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND'S CHILD
EURYDICE
SHE CAME AND WENT
THE CHANGELING
THE PIONEER
LONGING
ODE TO FRANCE. February, 1848
ANTI-APIS
A PARABLE
ODE WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COCHITUATE
WATER INTO THE CITY OF BOSTON
LINES SUGGESTED BY THE GRAVES OF TWO ENGLISH SOLDIERS ON CONCORD
BATTLE-GROUND
TO----
FREEDOM
BIBLIOLATRES
BEAVER BROOK
MEMORIAL VERSES.
KOSSUTH
TO LAMARTINE. 1848
TO JOHN GORHAM PALFREY
TO W. L. GARRISON
ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES TURNER TORREY
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING
TO THE MEMORY OF HOOD
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
LETTER FROM BOSTON. December, 1846
A FABLE FOR CRITICS
THE UNHAPPY LOT OF MR. KNOTT
FRAGMENTS OF AN UNFINISHED POEM
AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE
THE BIGLOW PAPERS.
FIRST SERIES.
NOTICES OF AN INDEPENDENT PRESS
NOTE TO TITLE-PAGE
INTRODUCTION
NO. I. A LETTER FROM MR. EZEKIEL BIGLOW OF JAALAM TO THE HON.
JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM
NO. II. A LETTER FROM MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE HON. J. T.
BUCKINGHAM
NO. III. WHAT MR. ROBINSON THINKS
NO. IV. REMARKS OF INCREASE D. O'PHACE, ESQ.
NO. V. THE DEBATE IN THE SENNIT
NO. VI. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED
NO. VII. A LETTER FROM A CANDIDATE IN THE PRESIDENCY IN ANSWER
TO SUTTIN QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY Mr. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. VIII. A SECOND LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
NO. IX. A THIRD LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
SECOND SERIES.
THE COURTIN'
NO. I. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. II. MASON AND SLIDELL: A YANKEE IDYLL
JONATHAN TO JOHN
NO. III. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN, ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. IV. A MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS IN SECRET SESSION
NO. V. SPEECH OF HONOURABLE PRESERVED DOE IN SECRET CAUCUS
NO. VI. SUNTHIN' IN THE PASTORAL LINE
NO. VII. LATEST VIEWS OF MR. BIGLOW
NO. VIII. KETTELOPOTOMACHIA
NO. IX. SOME MEMORIALS OF THE LATE REVEREND H. WILBUR
NO. X. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE EDITOR OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY
NO. XI. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW'S SPEECH IN MARCH MEETING
UNDER THE WILLOWS AND OTHER POEMS.
TO CHARLES ELIOT NORTON
UNDER THE WILLOWS
DARA
THE FIRST SNOW-FALL
THE SINGING LEAVES
SEAWEED
THE FINDING OF THE LYRE
NEW-YEAR'S EVE, 1850
FOR AN AUTOGRAPH
AL FRESCO
MASACCIO
WITHOUT AND WITHIN
GODMINSTER CHIMES
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
ALADDIN
AN INVITATION. TO JOHN FRANCIS HEATH
THE NOMADES
SELF-STUDY
PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE
THE WIND-HARP
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
PALINODE
AFTER THE BURIAL
THE DEAD HOUSE
A MOOD
THE VOYAGE TO VINLAND
MAHMOOD THE IMAGE-BREAKER
INVITA MINERVA
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
YUSSOUF
THE DARKENED MIND
WHAT RABBI JEHOSHA SAID
ALL-SAINTS
A WINTER-EVENING HYMN TO MY FIRE
FANCY'S CASUISTRY
TO MR. JOHN BARTLETT
ODE TO HAPPINESS
VILLA FRANCA. 1859
THE MINER
GOLD EGG: A DREAM-FANTASY
A FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND
AN EMBER PICTURE
TO H. W. L.
THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE STUDY
IN THE TWILIGHT
THE FOOT-PATH
POEMS OF THE WAR.
THE WASHERS OF THE SHROUD
TWO SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF BLONDEL
MEMORIAE POSITUM
ON BOARD THE '76
ODE RECITED AT THE HARVARD COMMEMORATION
L'ENVOI: TO THE MUSE
THE CATHEDRAL
THREE MEMORIAL POEMS.
ONE READ AT THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIGHT AT
CONCORD BRIDGE
UNDER THE OLD ELM
AN ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876
HEARTSEASE AND RUE.
I. FRIENDSHIP.
AGASSIZ
TO HOLMES, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
IN A COPY OF OMAR KHAYYAM
ON RECEIVING A COPY OF MR. AUSTIN DOBSON'S 'OLD WORLD IDYLLS'
TO C. F. BRADFORD
BANKSIDE
JOSEPH WINLOCK
SONNET, TO FANNY ALEXANDER
JEFFRIES WYMAN
TO A FRIEND
WITH AN ARMCHAIR
E. G. DE R.
BON VOYAGE
TO WHITTIER, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
ON AN AUTUMN SKETCH OF H. G. WILD
TO MISS D. T.
WITH A COPY OF AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE
ON PLANTING A TREE AT INVERARAY
AN EPISTLE TO GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
II. SENTIMENT.
ENDYMION
THE BLACK PREACHER
ARCADIA REDIVIVA
THE NEST
A YOUTHFUL EXPERIMENT IN ENGLISH HEXAMETERS
BIRTHDAY VERSES
ESTRANGEMENT
PHOEBE
DAS EWIG-WEIBLICHE
THE RECALL
ABSENCE
MONNA LISA
THE OPTIMIST
ON BURNING SOME OLD LETTERS
THE PROTEST
THE PETITION
FACT OR FANCY?
AGRO-DOLCE
THE BROKEN TRYST
CASA SIN ALMA
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
MY PORTRAIT GALLERY
PAOLO TO FRANCESCA
SONNET, SCOTTISH BORDER
SONNET, ON BEING ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH IN VENICE
THE DANCING BEAR
THE MAPLE
NIGHTWATCHES
DEATH OF QUEEN MERCEDES
PRISON OF CERVANTES
TO A LADY PLAYING ON THE CITHERN
THE EYE'S TREASURY
PESSIMOPTIMISM
THE BRAKES
A FOREBODING
III. FANCY
UNDER THE OCTOBER MAPLES
LOVE'S CLOCK
ELEANOR MAKES MACAROONS
TELEPATHY
SCHERZO
'FRANCISCUS DE VERULAMIO SIC COGITAVIT'
AUSPEX
THE PREGNANT COMMENT
THE LESSON
SCIENCE AND POETRY
A NEW YEAR'S GREETING
THE DISCOVERY
WITH A SEASHELL
THE SECRET
IV. HUMOR AND SATIRE.
FITZ ADAM'S STORY
THE ORIGIN OF DIDACTIC POETRY
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
CREDIDIMUS JOVEM REGNARE
TEMPORA MUTANTUR
IN THE HALF-WAY HOUSE
AT THE BURNS CENTENNIAL
IN AN ALBUM
AT THE COMMENCEMENT DINNER, 1866
A PARABLE
V. EPIGRAMS.
SAYINGS
INSCRIPTIONS
A MISCONCEPTION
THE BOSS
SUN-WORSHIP
CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES LOST IN A WAGER
SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
LAST POEMS.
HOW I CONSULTED THE ORACLE OF THE GOLDFISHES
TURNER'S OLD TEMERAIRE
ST. MICHAEL THE WEIGHER
A VALENTINE
AN APRIL BIRTHDAY--AT SEA
LOVE AND THOUGHT
THE NOBLER LOVER
ON HEARING A SONATA OF BEETHOVEN'S PLAYED IN THE NEXT ROOM
VERSES, INTENDED TO GO WITH A POSSET DISH
ON A BUST OF GENERAL GRANT
APPENDIX.
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND SERIES OF BIGLOW PAPERS
II. GLOSSARY TO THE BIGLOW PAPERS
III. INDEX TO BIGLOW PAPERS
INDEX OF FIRST LINES
INDEX OF TITLES
EARLIER POEMS
THRENODIA
Gone, gone from us! and shall we see
Those sibyl-leaves of destiny,
Those calm eyes, nevermore?
Those deep, dark eyes so warm and bright,
Wherein the fortunes of the man
Lay slumbering in prophetic light,
In characters a child might scan?
So bright, and gone forth utterly!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The stars of those two gentle eyes 10
Will shine no more on earth;
Quenched are the hopes that had their birth,
As we watched them slowly rise,
Stars of a mother's fate;
And she would read them o'er and o'er,
Pondering, as she sate,
Over their dear astrology,
Which she had conned and conned before,
Deeming she needs must read aright 19
What was writ so passing bright.
And yet, alas! she knew not why.
Her voice would falter in its song,
And tears would slide from out her eye,
Silent, as they were doing wrong.
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The tongue that scarce had learned to claim
An entrance to a mother's heart
By that dear talisman, a mother's name,
Sleeps all forgetful of its art!
I loved to see the infant soul 30
(How mighty in the weakness
Of its untutored meekness! )
Peep timidly from out its nest,
His lips, the while,
Fluttering with half-fledged words,
Or hushing to a smile
That more than words expressed,
When his glad mother on him stole
And snatched him to her breast!
Oh, thoughts were brooding in those eyes, 40
That would have soared like strong-winged birds
Far, far into the skies,
Gladding the earth with song,
And gushing harmonies,
Had he but tarried with us long!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
How peacefully they rest,
Crossfolded there
Upon his little breast,
Those small, white hands that ne'er were still before, 50
But ever sported with his mother's hair,
Or the plain cross that on her breast she wore!
Her heart no more will beat
To feel the touch of that soft palm,
That ever seemed a new surprise
Sending glad thoughts up to her eyes
To bless him with their holy calm,--
Sweet thoughts! they made her eyes as sweet.
How quiet are the hands
That wove those pleasant bands!
But that they do not rise and sink 61
With his calm breathing, I should think
That he were dropped asleep.
Alas! too deep, too deep
Is this his slumber!
Time scarce can number
The years ere he shall wake again.
Oh, may we see his eyelids open then!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
As the airy gossamere, 70
Floating in the sunlight clear,
Where'er it toucheth clingeth tightly,
Bound glossy leal or stump unsightly,
So from his spirit wandered out
Tendrils spreading all about,
Knitting all things to its thrall
With a perfect love of all:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
He did but float a little way
Adown the stream of time, 80
With dreamy eyes watching the ripples play,
Or hearkening their fairy chime;
His slender sail
Ne'er felt the gale;
He did but float a little way,
And, putting to the shore
While yet 't was early day,
Went calmly on his way,
To dwell with us no more!
No jarring did he feel, 90
No grating on his shallop's keel;
A strip of silver sand
Mingled the waters with the land
Where he was seen no more:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
'
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
I. TO A. C. L.
II. 'WHAT WERE I, LOVE, IF I WERE STRIPPED OF THEE? '
III. 'I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PERFECT LOVE OF OURS'
IV. 'FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I SEEK IN VAIN'
V. TO THE SPIRIT OF KEATS
VI. 'GREAT TRUTHS ARE PORTIONS OF THE SOUL OF MAN'
VII. 'I ASK NOT FOR THOSE THOUGHTS, THAT SUDDEN LEAP'
VIII. TO M. W. , ON HER BIRTHDAY
IX. 'MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE'
X. 'I CANNOT THINK THAT THOU SHOULDST PASS AWAY'
XI. 'THERE NEVER YET WAS FLOWER FAIR IN VAIN'
XII. SUB PONDERE CRESCIT
XIII. 'BELOVED, IN THE NOISY CITY HERE'
XIV. ON READING WORDSWORTH'S SONNETS IN DEFENCE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
XV. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVI. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVIII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XIX. THE SAME CONCLUDED.
XX. TO M. O. S.
XXI. 'OUR LOVE IS NOT A FADING, EARTHLY FLOWER'
XXII. IN ABSENCE
XXIII. WENDELL PHILLIPS
XXIV. THE STREET
XXV. 'I GRIEVE NOT THAT RIPE KNOWLEDGE TAKES AWAY'
XXVI. TO J. R. GIDDINGS
XXVII. 'I THOUGHT OUR LOVE AT FULL, BUT I DID ERR'
L'ENVOI
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
A LEGEND OF BRITTANY
PROMETHEUS
THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS
THE TOKEN
AN INCIDENT IN A RAILROAD CAR
RHOECUS
THE FALCON
TRIAL
A GLANCE BEHIMD THE CURTAIN
A CHIPPEWA LEGEND
STANZAS ON FREEDOM
COLUMBUS
AN INCIDENT OF THE FIRE AT HAMBURG
THE SOWER
HUNGER AND COLD
THE LANDLORD
TO A PINE-TREE
SI DESCENDERO IN INFERNUM, ADES
TO THE PAST
TO THE FUTURE
HEBE
THE SEARCH
THE PRESENT CRISIS
AN INDIAN-SUMMER REVERIE
THE GROWTH OF THE LEGEND
A CONTRAST
EXTREME UNCTION
THE OAK
AMBROSE
ABOVE AND BELOW
THE CAPTIVE
THE BIRCH-TREE
AN INTERVIEW WITH MILES STANDISH
ON THE CAPTURE OF FUGITIVE SLAVES NEAR WASHINGTON
TO THE DANDELION
THE GHOST-SEER
STUDIES FOR TWO HEADS
ON A PORTRAIT OF DANTE BY GIOTTO
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND'S CHILD
EURYDICE
SHE CAME AND WENT
THE CHANGELING
THE PIONEER
LONGING
ODE TO FRANCE. February, 1848
ANTI-APIS
A PARABLE
ODE WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COCHITUATE
WATER INTO THE CITY OF BOSTON
LINES SUGGESTED BY THE GRAVES OF TWO ENGLISH SOLDIERS ON CONCORD
BATTLE-GROUND
TO----
FREEDOM
BIBLIOLATRES
BEAVER BROOK
MEMORIAL VERSES.
KOSSUTH
TO LAMARTINE. 1848
TO JOHN GORHAM PALFREY
TO W. L. GARRISON
ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES TURNER TORREY
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING
TO THE MEMORY OF HOOD
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
LETTER FROM BOSTON. December, 1846
A FABLE FOR CRITICS
THE UNHAPPY LOT OF MR. KNOTT
FRAGMENTS OF AN UNFINISHED POEM
AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE
THE BIGLOW PAPERS.
FIRST SERIES.
NOTICES OF AN INDEPENDENT PRESS
NOTE TO TITLE-PAGE
INTRODUCTION
NO. I. A LETTER FROM MR. EZEKIEL BIGLOW OF JAALAM TO THE HON.
JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM
NO. II. A LETTER FROM MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE HON. J. T.
BUCKINGHAM
NO. III. WHAT MR. ROBINSON THINKS
NO. IV. REMARKS OF INCREASE D. O'PHACE, ESQ.
NO. V. THE DEBATE IN THE SENNIT
NO. VI. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED
NO. VII. A LETTER FROM A CANDIDATE IN THE PRESIDENCY IN ANSWER
TO SUTTIN QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY Mr. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. VIII. A SECOND LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
NO. IX. A THIRD LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
SECOND SERIES.
THE COURTIN'
NO. I. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. II. MASON AND SLIDELL: A YANKEE IDYLL
JONATHAN TO JOHN
NO. III. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN, ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. IV. A MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS IN SECRET SESSION
NO. V. SPEECH OF HONOURABLE PRESERVED DOE IN SECRET CAUCUS
NO. VI. SUNTHIN' IN THE PASTORAL LINE
NO. VII. LATEST VIEWS OF MR. BIGLOW
NO. VIII. KETTELOPOTOMACHIA
NO. IX. SOME MEMORIALS OF THE LATE REVEREND H. WILBUR
NO. X. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE EDITOR OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY
NO. XI. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW'S SPEECH IN MARCH MEETING
UNDER THE WILLOWS AND OTHER POEMS.
TO CHARLES ELIOT NORTON
UNDER THE WILLOWS
DARA
THE FIRST SNOW-FALL
THE SINGING LEAVES
SEAWEED
THE FINDING OF THE LYRE
NEW-YEAR'S EVE, 1850
FOR AN AUTOGRAPH
AL FRESCO
MASACCIO
WITHOUT AND WITHIN
GODMINSTER CHIMES
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
ALADDIN
AN INVITATION. TO JOHN FRANCIS HEATH
THE NOMADES
SELF-STUDY
PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE
THE WIND-HARP
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
PALINODE
AFTER THE BURIAL
THE DEAD HOUSE
A MOOD
THE VOYAGE TO VINLAND
MAHMOOD THE IMAGE-BREAKER
INVITA MINERVA
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
YUSSOUF
THE DARKENED MIND
WHAT RABBI JEHOSHA SAID
ALL-SAINTS
A WINTER-EVENING HYMN TO MY FIRE
FANCY'S CASUISTRY
TO MR. JOHN BARTLETT
ODE TO HAPPINESS
VILLA FRANCA. 1859
THE MINER
GOLD EGG: A DREAM-FANTASY
A FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND
AN EMBER PICTURE
TO H. W. L.
THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE STUDY
IN THE TWILIGHT
THE FOOT-PATH
POEMS OF THE WAR.
THE WASHERS OF THE SHROUD
TWO SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF BLONDEL
MEMORIAE POSITUM
ON BOARD THE '76
ODE RECITED AT THE HARVARD COMMEMORATION
L'ENVOI: TO THE MUSE
THE CATHEDRAL
THREE MEMORIAL POEMS.
ONE READ AT THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIGHT AT
CONCORD BRIDGE
UNDER THE OLD ELM
AN ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876
HEARTSEASE AND RUE.
I. FRIENDSHIP.
AGASSIZ
TO HOLMES, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
IN A COPY OF OMAR KHAYYAM
ON RECEIVING A COPY OF MR. AUSTIN DOBSON'S 'OLD WORLD IDYLLS'
TO C. F. BRADFORD
BANKSIDE
JOSEPH WINLOCK
SONNET, TO FANNY ALEXANDER
JEFFRIES WYMAN
TO A FRIEND
WITH AN ARMCHAIR
E. G. DE R.
BON VOYAGE
TO WHITTIER, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
ON AN AUTUMN SKETCH OF H. G. WILD
TO MISS D. T.
WITH A COPY OF AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE
ON PLANTING A TREE AT INVERARAY
AN EPISTLE TO GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
II. SENTIMENT.
ENDYMION
THE BLACK PREACHER
ARCADIA REDIVIVA
THE NEST
A YOUTHFUL EXPERIMENT IN ENGLISH HEXAMETERS
BIRTHDAY VERSES
ESTRANGEMENT
PHOEBE
DAS EWIG-WEIBLICHE
THE RECALL
ABSENCE
MONNA LISA
THE OPTIMIST
ON BURNING SOME OLD LETTERS
THE PROTEST
THE PETITION
FACT OR FANCY?
AGRO-DOLCE
THE BROKEN TRYST
CASA SIN ALMA
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
MY PORTRAIT GALLERY
PAOLO TO FRANCESCA
SONNET, SCOTTISH BORDER
SONNET, ON BEING ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH IN VENICE
THE DANCING BEAR
THE MAPLE
NIGHTWATCHES
DEATH OF QUEEN MERCEDES
PRISON OF CERVANTES
TO A LADY PLAYING ON THE CITHERN
THE EYE'S TREASURY
PESSIMOPTIMISM
THE BRAKES
A FOREBODING
III. FANCY
UNDER THE OCTOBER MAPLES
LOVE'S CLOCK
ELEANOR MAKES MACAROONS
TELEPATHY
SCHERZO
'FRANCISCUS DE VERULAMIO SIC COGITAVIT'
AUSPEX
THE PREGNANT COMMENT
THE LESSON
SCIENCE AND POETRY
A NEW YEAR'S GREETING
THE DISCOVERY
WITH A SEASHELL
THE SECRET
IV. HUMOR AND SATIRE.
FITZ ADAM'S STORY
THE ORIGIN OF DIDACTIC POETRY
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
CREDIDIMUS JOVEM REGNARE
TEMPORA MUTANTUR
IN THE HALF-WAY HOUSE
AT THE BURNS CENTENNIAL
IN AN ALBUM
AT THE COMMENCEMENT DINNER, 1866
A PARABLE
V. EPIGRAMS.
SAYINGS
INSCRIPTIONS
A MISCONCEPTION
THE BOSS
SUN-WORSHIP
CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES LOST IN A WAGER
SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
LAST POEMS.
HOW I CONSULTED THE ORACLE OF THE GOLDFISHES
TURNER'S OLD TEMERAIRE
ST. MICHAEL THE WEIGHER
A VALENTINE
AN APRIL BIRTHDAY--AT SEA
LOVE AND THOUGHT
THE NOBLER LOVER
ON HEARING A SONATA OF BEETHOVEN'S PLAYED IN THE NEXT ROOM
VERSES, INTENDED TO GO WITH A POSSET DISH
ON A BUST OF GENERAL GRANT
APPENDIX.
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND SERIES OF BIGLOW PAPERS
II. GLOSSARY TO THE BIGLOW PAPERS
III. INDEX TO BIGLOW PAPERS
INDEX OF FIRST LINES
INDEX OF TITLES
EARLIER POEMS
THRENODIA
Gone, gone from us! and shall we see
Those sibyl-leaves of destiny,
Those calm eyes, nevermore?
Those deep, dark eyes so warm and bright,
Wherein the fortunes of the man
Lay slumbering in prophetic light,
In characters a child might scan?
So bright, and gone forth utterly!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The stars of those two gentle eyes 10
Will shine no more on earth;
Quenched are the hopes that had their birth,
As we watched them slowly rise,
Stars of a mother's fate;
And she would read them o'er and o'er,
Pondering, as she sate,
Over their dear astrology,
Which she had conned and conned before,
Deeming she needs must read aright 19
What was writ so passing bright.
And yet, alas! she knew not why.
Her voice would falter in its song,
And tears would slide from out her eye,
Silent, as they were doing wrong.
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The tongue that scarce had learned to claim
An entrance to a mother's heart
By that dear talisman, a mother's name,
Sleeps all forgetful of its art!
I loved to see the infant soul 30
(How mighty in the weakness
Of its untutored meekness! )
Peep timidly from out its nest,
His lips, the while,
Fluttering with half-fledged words,
Or hushing to a smile
That more than words expressed,
When his glad mother on him stole
And snatched him to her breast!
Oh, thoughts were brooding in those eyes, 40
That would have soared like strong-winged birds
Far, far into the skies,
Gladding the earth with song,
And gushing harmonies,
Had he but tarried with us long!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
How peacefully they rest,
Crossfolded there
Upon his little breast,
Those small, white hands that ne'er were still before, 50
But ever sported with his mother's hair,
Or the plain cross that on her breast she wore!
Her heart no more will beat
To feel the touch of that soft palm,
That ever seemed a new surprise
Sending glad thoughts up to her eyes
To bless him with their holy calm,--
Sweet thoughts! they made her eyes as sweet.
How quiet are the hands
That wove those pleasant bands!
But that they do not rise and sink 61
With his calm breathing, I should think
That he were dropped asleep.
Alas! too deep, too deep
Is this his slumber!
Time scarce can number
The years ere he shall wake again.
Oh, may we see his eyelids open then!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
As the airy gossamere, 70
Floating in the sunlight clear,
Where'er it toucheth clingeth tightly,
Bound glossy leal or stump unsightly,
So from his spirit wandered out
Tendrils spreading all about,
Knitting all things to its thrall
With a perfect love of all:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
He did but float a little way
Adown the stream of time, 80
With dreamy eyes watching the ripples play,
Or hearkening their fairy chime;
His slender sail
Ne'er felt the gale;
He did but float a little way,
And, putting to the shore
While yet 't was early day,
Went calmly on his way,
To dwell with us no more!
No jarring did he feel, 90
No grating on his shallop's keel;
A strip of silver sand
Mingled the waters with the land
Where he was seen no more:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
Full short his journey was; no dust
Of earth unto his sandals clave;
The weary weight that old men must,
He bore not to the grave.
He seemed a cherub who had lost his way 100
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us was short, and 't was most meet
That he should be no delver in earth's clod,
Nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
To stand before his God:
Oh blest word--Evermore!
THE SIRENS
The sea is lonely, the sea is dreary,
The sea is restless and uneasy;
Thou seekest quiet, thou art weary,
Wandering thou knowest not whither;--
Our little isle is green and breezy,
Come and rest thee! Oh come hither,
Come to this peaceful home of ours,
Where evermore
The low west-wind creeps panting up the shore 9
To be at rest among the flowers;
Full of rest, the green moss lifts,
As the dark waves of the sea
Draw in and out of rocky rifts,
Calling solemnly to thee
With voices deep and hollow,--
'To the shore
Follow! Oh, follow!
To be at rest forevermore!
Forevermore! '
Look how the gray old Ocean 20
From the depth of his heart rejoices,
Heaving with a gentle motion,
When he hears our restful voices;
List how he sings in an undertone,
Chiming with our melody;
And all sweet sounds of earth and air
Melt into one low voice alone,
That murmurs over the weary sea,
And seems to sing from everywhere,--
'Here mayst thou harbor peacefully, 30
Here mayst thou rest from the aching oar;
Turn thy curved prow ashore,
And in our green isle rest forevermore!
Forevermore! '
And Echo half wakes in the wooded hill,
And, to her heart so calm and deep,
Murmurs over in her sleep,
Doubtfully pausing and murmuring still,
'Evermore! '
Thus, on Life's weary sea, 40
Heareth the marinere
Voices sweet, from far and near,
Ever singing low and clear,
Ever singing longingly.
Is it not better here to be,
Than to be toiling late and soon?
In the dreary night to see
Nothing but the blood-red moon
Go up and down into the sea;
Or, in the loneliness of day, 50
To see the still seals only
Solemnly lift their faces gray,
Making it yet more lonely?
Is it not better than to hear
Only the sliding of the wave
Beneath the plank, and feel so near
A cold and lonely grave,
A restless grave, where thou shalt lie
Even in death unquietly?
Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark, 60
Lean over the side and see
The leaden eye of the sidelong shark
Upturned patiently,
Ever waiting there for thee:
Look down and see those shapeless forms,
Which ever keep their dreamless sleep
Far down within the gloomy deep,
And only stir themselves in storms,
Rising like islands from beneath,
And snorting through the angry spray, 70
As the frail vessel perisheth
In the whirls of their unwieldy play;
Look down! Look down!
Upon the seaweed, slimy and dark,
That waves its arms so lank and brown,
Beckoning for thee!
Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark
Into the cold depth of the sea!
THE COMPLETE POETICAL
WORKS OF
JAMES RUSSELL
LOWELL
Cabinet Edition
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
THE RIVERSIDE PRESS, CAMBRIDGE
M DCCCC II
PUBLISHERS' NOTE
Mr. Lowell, the year before he died, edited a definitive edition of his
works, known as the Riverside edition. Subsequently, his literary
executor, Mr. C. E. Norton, issued a final posthumous collection, and the
Cambridge edition followed, including all the poems in the Riverside
edition, and the poems edited by Mr. Norton. The present Cabinet edition
contains all the poems in the Cambridge edition. It is made from new
plates, and for the convenience of the student the longer poems have
their lines numbered, and indexes of titles and first lines are added.
_Autumn, 1899_.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EARLIER POEMS.
THRENODIA
THE SIRENS
IRENE
SERENADE
WITH A PRESSED FLOWER
THE BEGGAR
MY LOVE
SUMMER STORM
LOVE
TO PERDITA, SINGING
THE MOON
REMEMBERED MUSIC
SONG. TO M. L.
ALLEGRA
THE FOUNTAIN
ODE
THE FATHERLAND
THE FORLORN
MIDNIGHT
A PRAYER
THE HERITAGE
THE ROSE: A BALLAD
SONG, 'VIOLET! SWEET VIOLET! '
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
I. TO A. C. L.
II. 'WHAT WERE I, LOVE, IF I WERE STRIPPED OF THEE? '
III. 'I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PERFECT LOVE OF OURS'
IV. 'FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I SEEK IN VAIN'
V. TO THE SPIRIT OF KEATS
VI. 'GREAT TRUTHS ARE PORTIONS OF THE SOUL OF MAN'
VII. 'I ASK NOT FOR THOSE THOUGHTS, THAT SUDDEN LEAP'
VIII. TO M. W. , ON HER BIRTHDAY
IX. 'MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE'
X. 'I CANNOT THINK THAT THOU SHOULDST PASS AWAY'
XI. 'THERE NEVER YET WAS FLOWER FAIR IN VAIN'
XII. SUB PONDERE CRESCIT
XIII. 'BELOVED, IN THE NOISY CITY HERE'
XIV. ON READING WORDSWORTH'S SONNETS IN DEFENCE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
XV. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVI. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVIII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XIX. THE SAME CONCLUDED.
XX. TO M. O. S.
XXI. 'OUR LOVE IS NOT A FADING, EARTHLY FLOWER'
XXII. IN ABSENCE
XXIII. WENDELL PHILLIPS
XXIV. THE STREET
XXV. 'I GRIEVE NOT THAT RIPE KNOWLEDGE TAKES AWAY'
XXVI. TO J. R. GIDDINGS
XXVII. 'I THOUGHT OUR LOVE AT FULL, BUT I DID ERR'
L'ENVOI
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
A LEGEND OF BRITTANY
PROMETHEUS
THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS
THE TOKEN
AN INCIDENT IN A RAILROAD CAR
RHOECUS
THE FALCON
TRIAL
A GLANCE BEHIMD THE CURTAIN
A CHIPPEWA LEGEND
STANZAS ON FREEDOM
COLUMBUS
AN INCIDENT OF THE FIRE AT HAMBURG
THE SOWER
HUNGER AND COLD
THE LANDLORD
TO A PINE-TREE
SI DESCENDERO IN INFERNUM, ADES
TO THE PAST
TO THE FUTURE
HEBE
THE SEARCH
THE PRESENT CRISIS
AN INDIAN-SUMMER REVERIE
THE GROWTH OF THE LEGEND
A CONTRAST
EXTREME UNCTION
THE OAK
AMBROSE
ABOVE AND BELOW
THE CAPTIVE
THE BIRCH-TREE
AN INTERVIEW WITH MILES STANDISH
ON THE CAPTURE OF FUGITIVE SLAVES NEAR WASHINGTON
TO THE DANDELION
THE GHOST-SEER
STUDIES FOR TWO HEADS
ON A PORTRAIT OF DANTE BY GIOTTO
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND'S CHILD
EURYDICE
SHE CAME AND WENT
THE CHANGELING
THE PIONEER
LONGING
ODE TO FRANCE. February, 1848
ANTI-APIS
A PARABLE
ODE WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COCHITUATE
WATER INTO THE CITY OF BOSTON
LINES SUGGESTED BY THE GRAVES OF TWO ENGLISH SOLDIERS ON CONCORD
BATTLE-GROUND
TO----
FREEDOM
BIBLIOLATRES
BEAVER BROOK
MEMORIAL VERSES.
KOSSUTH
TO LAMARTINE. 1848
TO JOHN GORHAM PALFREY
TO W. L. GARRISON
ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES TURNER TORREY
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING
TO THE MEMORY OF HOOD
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
LETTER FROM BOSTON. December, 1846
A FABLE FOR CRITICS
THE UNHAPPY LOT OF MR. KNOTT
FRAGMENTS OF AN UNFINISHED POEM
AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE
THE BIGLOW PAPERS.
FIRST SERIES.
NOTICES OF AN INDEPENDENT PRESS
NOTE TO TITLE-PAGE
INTRODUCTION
NO. I. A LETTER FROM MR. EZEKIEL BIGLOW OF JAALAM TO THE HON.
JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM
NO. II. A LETTER FROM MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE HON. J. T.
BUCKINGHAM
NO. III. WHAT MR. ROBINSON THINKS
NO. IV. REMARKS OF INCREASE D. O'PHACE, ESQ.
NO. V. THE DEBATE IN THE SENNIT
NO. VI. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED
NO. VII. A LETTER FROM A CANDIDATE IN THE PRESIDENCY IN ANSWER
TO SUTTIN QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY Mr. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. VIII. A SECOND LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
NO. IX. A THIRD LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
SECOND SERIES.
THE COURTIN'
NO. I. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. II. MASON AND SLIDELL: A YANKEE IDYLL
JONATHAN TO JOHN
NO. III. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN, ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. IV. A MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS IN SECRET SESSION
NO. V. SPEECH OF HONOURABLE PRESERVED DOE IN SECRET CAUCUS
NO. VI. SUNTHIN' IN THE PASTORAL LINE
NO. VII. LATEST VIEWS OF MR. BIGLOW
NO. VIII. KETTELOPOTOMACHIA
NO. IX. SOME MEMORIALS OF THE LATE REVEREND H. WILBUR
NO. X. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE EDITOR OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY
NO. XI. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW'S SPEECH IN MARCH MEETING
UNDER THE WILLOWS AND OTHER POEMS.
TO CHARLES ELIOT NORTON
UNDER THE WILLOWS
DARA
THE FIRST SNOW-FALL
THE SINGING LEAVES
SEAWEED
THE FINDING OF THE LYRE
NEW-YEAR'S EVE, 1850
FOR AN AUTOGRAPH
AL FRESCO
MASACCIO
WITHOUT AND WITHIN
GODMINSTER CHIMES
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
ALADDIN
AN INVITATION. TO JOHN FRANCIS HEATH
THE NOMADES
SELF-STUDY
PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE
THE WIND-HARP
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
PALINODE
AFTER THE BURIAL
THE DEAD HOUSE
A MOOD
THE VOYAGE TO VINLAND
MAHMOOD THE IMAGE-BREAKER
INVITA MINERVA
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
YUSSOUF
THE DARKENED MIND
WHAT RABBI JEHOSHA SAID
ALL-SAINTS
A WINTER-EVENING HYMN TO MY FIRE
FANCY'S CASUISTRY
TO MR. JOHN BARTLETT
ODE TO HAPPINESS
VILLA FRANCA. 1859
THE MINER
GOLD EGG: A DREAM-FANTASY
A FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND
AN EMBER PICTURE
TO H. W. L.
THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE STUDY
IN THE TWILIGHT
THE FOOT-PATH
POEMS OF THE WAR.
THE WASHERS OF THE SHROUD
TWO SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF BLONDEL
MEMORIAE POSITUM
ON BOARD THE '76
ODE RECITED AT THE HARVARD COMMEMORATION
L'ENVOI: TO THE MUSE
THE CATHEDRAL
THREE MEMORIAL POEMS.
ONE READ AT THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIGHT AT
CONCORD BRIDGE
UNDER THE OLD ELM
AN ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876
HEARTSEASE AND RUE.
I. FRIENDSHIP.
AGASSIZ
TO HOLMES, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
IN A COPY OF OMAR KHAYYAM
ON RECEIVING A COPY OF MR. AUSTIN DOBSON'S 'OLD WORLD IDYLLS'
TO C. F. BRADFORD
BANKSIDE
JOSEPH WINLOCK
SONNET, TO FANNY ALEXANDER
JEFFRIES WYMAN
TO A FRIEND
WITH AN ARMCHAIR
E. G. DE R.
BON VOYAGE
TO WHITTIER, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
ON AN AUTUMN SKETCH OF H. G. WILD
TO MISS D. T.
WITH A COPY OF AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE
ON PLANTING A TREE AT INVERARAY
AN EPISTLE TO GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
II. SENTIMENT.
ENDYMION
THE BLACK PREACHER
ARCADIA REDIVIVA
THE NEST
A YOUTHFUL EXPERIMENT IN ENGLISH HEXAMETERS
BIRTHDAY VERSES
ESTRANGEMENT
PHOEBE
DAS EWIG-WEIBLICHE
THE RECALL
ABSENCE
MONNA LISA
THE OPTIMIST
ON BURNING SOME OLD LETTERS
THE PROTEST
THE PETITION
FACT OR FANCY?
AGRO-DOLCE
THE BROKEN TRYST
CASA SIN ALMA
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
MY PORTRAIT GALLERY
PAOLO TO FRANCESCA
SONNET, SCOTTISH BORDER
SONNET, ON BEING ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH IN VENICE
THE DANCING BEAR
THE MAPLE
NIGHTWATCHES
DEATH OF QUEEN MERCEDES
PRISON OF CERVANTES
TO A LADY PLAYING ON THE CITHERN
THE EYE'S TREASURY
PESSIMOPTIMISM
THE BRAKES
A FOREBODING
III. FANCY
UNDER THE OCTOBER MAPLES
LOVE'S CLOCK
ELEANOR MAKES MACAROONS
TELEPATHY
SCHERZO
'FRANCISCUS DE VERULAMIO SIC COGITAVIT'
AUSPEX
THE PREGNANT COMMENT
THE LESSON
SCIENCE AND POETRY
A NEW YEAR'S GREETING
THE DISCOVERY
WITH A SEASHELL
THE SECRET
IV. HUMOR AND SATIRE.
FITZ ADAM'S STORY
THE ORIGIN OF DIDACTIC POETRY
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
CREDIDIMUS JOVEM REGNARE
TEMPORA MUTANTUR
IN THE HALF-WAY HOUSE
AT THE BURNS CENTENNIAL
IN AN ALBUM
AT THE COMMENCEMENT DINNER, 1866
A PARABLE
V. EPIGRAMS.
SAYINGS
INSCRIPTIONS
A MISCONCEPTION
THE BOSS
SUN-WORSHIP
CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES LOST IN A WAGER
SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
LAST POEMS.
HOW I CONSULTED THE ORACLE OF THE GOLDFISHES
TURNER'S OLD TEMERAIRE
ST. MICHAEL THE WEIGHER
A VALENTINE
AN APRIL BIRTHDAY--AT SEA
LOVE AND THOUGHT
THE NOBLER LOVER
ON HEARING A SONATA OF BEETHOVEN'S PLAYED IN THE NEXT ROOM
VERSES, INTENDED TO GO WITH A POSSET DISH
ON A BUST OF GENERAL GRANT
APPENDIX.
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND SERIES OF BIGLOW PAPERS
II. GLOSSARY TO THE BIGLOW PAPERS
III. INDEX TO BIGLOW PAPERS
INDEX OF FIRST LINES
INDEX OF TITLES
EARLIER POEMS
THRENODIA
Gone, gone from us! and shall we see
Those sibyl-leaves of destiny,
Those calm eyes, nevermore?
Those deep, dark eyes so warm and bright,
Wherein the fortunes of the man
Lay slumbering in prophetic light,
In characters a child might scan?
So bright, and gone forth utterly!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The stars of those two gentle eyes 10
Will shine no more on earth;
Quenched are the hopes that had their birth,
As we watched them slowly rise,
Stars of a mother's fate;
And she would read them o'er and o'er,
Pondering, as she sate,
Over their dear astrology,
Which she had conned and conned before,
Deeming she needs must read aright 19
What was writ so passing bright.
And yet, alas! she knew not why.
Her voice would falter in its song,
And tears would slide from out her eye,
Silent, as they were doing wrong.
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The tongue that scarce had learned to claim
An entrance to a mother's heart
By that dear talisman, a mother's name,
Sleeps all forgetful of its art!
I loved to see the infant soul 30
(How mighty in the weakness
Of its untutored meekness! )
Peep timidly from out its nest,
His lips, the while,
Fluttering with half-fledged words,
Or hushing to a smile
That more than words expressed,
When his glad mother on him stole
And snatched him to her breast!
Oh, thoughts were brooding in those eyes, 40
That would have soared like strong-winged birds
Far, far into the skies,
Gladding the earth with song,
And gushing harmonies,
Had he but tarried with us long!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
How peacefully they rest,
Crossfolded there
Upon his little breast,
Those small, white hands that ne'er were still before, 50
But ever sported with his mother's hair,
Or the plain cross that on her breast she wore!
Her heart no more will beat
To feel the touch of that soft palm,
That ever seemed a new surprise
Sending glad thoughts up to her eyes
To bless him with their holy calm,--
Sweet thoughts! they made her eyes as sweet.
How quiet are the hands
That wove those pleasant bands!
But that they do not rise and sink 61
With his calm breathing, I should think
That he were dropped asleep.
Alas! too deep, too deep
Is this his slumber!
Time scarce can number
The years ere he shall wake again.
Oh, may we see his eyelids open then!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
As the airy gossamere, 70
Floating in the sunlight clear,
Where'er it toucheth clingeth tightly,
Bound glossy leal or stump unsightly,
So from his spirit wandered out
Tendrils spreading all about,
Knitting all things to its thrall
With a perfect love of all:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
He did but float a little way
Adown the stream of time, 80
With dreamy eyes watching the ripples play,
Or hearkening their fairy chime;
His slender sail
Ne'er felt the gale;
He did but float a little way,
And, putting to the shore
While yet 't was early day,
Went calmly on his way,
To dwell with us no more!
No jarring did he feel, 90
No grating on his shallop's keel;
A strip of silver sand
Mingled the waters with the land
Where he was seen no more:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
'
ROSALINE
A REQUIEM
A PARABLE
SONG, 'O MOONLIGHT DEEP AND TENDER'
SONNETS.
I. TO A. C. L.
II. 'WHAT WERE I, LOVE, IF I WERE STRIPPED OF THEE? '
III. 'I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PERFECT LOVE OF OURS'
IV. 'FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I SEEK IN VAIN'
V. TO THE SPIRIT OF KEATS
VI. 'GREAT TRUTHS ARE PORTIONS OF THE SOUL OF MAN'
VII. 'I ASK NOT FOR THOSE THOUGHTS, THAT SUDDEN LEAP'
VIII. TO M. W. , ON HER BIRTHDAY
IX. 'MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE'
X. 'I CANNOT THINK THAT THOU SHOULDST PASS AWAY'
XI. 'THERE NEVER YET WAS FLOWER FAIR IN VAIN'
XII. SUB PONDERE CRESCIT
XIII. 'BELOVED, IN THE NOISY CITY HERE'
XIV. ON READING WORDSWORTH'S SONNETS IN DEFENCE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
XV. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVI. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XVIII. THE SAME CONTINUED.
XIX. THE SAME CONCLUDED.
XX. TO M. O. S.
XXI. 'OUR LOVE IS NOT A FADING, EARTHLY FLOWER'
XXII. IN ABSENCE
XXIII. WENDELL PHILLIPS
XXIV. THE STREET
XXV. 'I GRIEVE NOT THAT RIPE KNOWLEDGE TAKES AWAY'
XXVI. TO J. R. GIDDINGS
XXVII. 'I THOUGHT OUR LOVE AT FULL, BUT I DID ERR'
L'ENVOI
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
A LEGEND OF BRITTANY
PROMETHEUS
THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS
THE TOKEN
AN INCIDENT IN A RAILROAD CAR
RHOECUS
THE FALCON
TRIAL
A GLANCE BEHIMD THE CURTAIN
A CHIPPEWA LEGEND
STANZAS ON FREEDOM
COLUMBUS
AN INCIDENT OF THE FIRE AT HAMBURG
THE SOWER
HUNGER AND COLD
THE LANDLORD
TO A PINE-TREE
SI DESCENDERO IN INFERNUM, ADES
TO THE PAST
TO THE FUTURE
HEBE
THE SEARCH
THE PRESENT CRISIS
AN INDIAN-SUMMER REVERIE
THE GROWTH OF THE LEGEND
A CONTRAST
EXTREME UNCTION
THE OAK
AMBROSE
ABOVE AND BELOW
THE CAPTIVE
THE BIRCH-TREE
AN INTERVIEW WITH MILES STANDISH
ON THE CAPTURE OF FUGITIVE SLAVES NEAR WASHINGTON
TO THE DANDELION
THE GHOST-SEER
STUDIES FOR TWO HEADS
ON A PORTRAIT OF DANTE BY GIOTTO
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND'S CHILD
EURYDICE
SHE CAME AND WENT
THE CHANGELING
THE PIONEER
LONGING
ODE TO FRANCE. February, 1848
ANTI-APIS
A PARABLE
ODE WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COCHITUATE
WATER INTO THE CITY OF BOSTON
LINES SUGGESTED BY THE GRAVES OF TWO ENGLISH SOLDIERS ON CONCORD
BATTLE-GROUND
TO----
FREEDOM
BIBLIOLATRES
BEAVER BROOK
MEMORIAL VERSES.
KOSSUTH
TO LAMARTINE. 1848
TO JOHN GORHAM PALFREY
TO W. L. GARRISON
ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES TURNER TORREY
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING
TO THE MEMORY OF HOOD
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
LETTER FROM BOSTON. December, 1846
A FABLE FOR CRITICS
THE UNHAPPY LOT OF MR. KNOTT
FRAGMENTS OF AN UNFINISHED POEM
AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE
THE BIGLOW PAPERS.
FIRST SERIES.
NOTICES OF AN INDEPENDENT PRESS
NOTE TO TITLE-PAGE
INTRODUCTION
NO. I. A LETTER FROM MR. EZEKIEL BIGLOW OF JAALAM TO THE HON.
JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM
NO. II. A LETTER FROM MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE HON. J. T.
BUCKINGHAM
NO. III. WHAT MR. ROBINSON THINKS
NO. IV. REMARKS OF INCREASE D. O'PHACE, ESQ.
NO. V. THE DEBATE IN THE SENNIT
NO. VI. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED
NO. VII. A LETTER FROM A CANDIDATE IN THE PRESIDENCY IN ANSWER
TO SUTTIN QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY Mr. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. VIII. A SECOND LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
NO. IX. A THIRD LETTER FROM B. SAWIN, ESQ.
SECOND SERIES.
THE COURTIN'
NO. I. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. II. MASON AND SLIDELL: A YANKEE IDYLL
JONATHAN TO JOHN
NO. III. BIRDOFREDUM SAWIN, ESQ. , TO MR. HOSEA BIGLOW
NO. IV. A MESSAGE OF JEFF DAVIS IN SECRET SESSION
NO. V. SPEECH OF HONOURABLE PRESERVED DOE IN SECRET CAUCUS
NO. VI. SUNTHIN' IN THE PASTORAL LINE
NO. VII. LATEST VIEWS OF MR. BIGLOW
NO. VIII. KETTELOPOTOMACHIA
NO. IX. SOME MEMORIALS OF THE LATE REVEREND H. WILBUR
NO. X. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW TO THE EDITOR OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY
NO. XI. MR. HOSEA BIGLOW'S SPEECH IN MARCH MEETING
UNDER THE WILLOWS AND OTHER POEMS.
TO CHARLES ELIOT NORTON
UNDER THE WILLOWS
DARA
THE FIRST SNOW-FALL
THE SINGING LEAVES
SEAWEED
THE FINDING OF THE LYRE
NEW-YEAR'S EVE, 1850
FOR AN AUTOGRAPH
AL FRESCO
MASACCIO
WITHOUT AND WITHIN
GODMINSTER CHIMES
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
ALADDIN
AN INVITATION. TO JOHN FRANCIS HEATH
THE NOMADES
SELF-STUDY
PICTURES FROM APPLEDORE
THE WIND-HARP
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
PALINODE
AFTER THE BURIAL
THE DEAD HOUSE
A MOOD
THE VOYAGE TO VINLAND
MAHMOOD THE IMAGE-BREAKER
INVITA MINERVA
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
YUSSOUF
THE DARKENED MIND
WHAT RABBI JEHOSHA SAID
ALL-SAINTS
A WINTER-EVENING HYMN TO MY FIRE
FANCY'S CASUISTRY
TO MR. JOHN BARTLETT
ODE TO HAPPINESS
VILLA FRANCA. 1859
THE MINER
GOLD EGG: A DREAM-FANTASY
A FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND
AN EMBER PICTURE
TO H. W. L.
THE NIGHTINGALE IN THE STUDY
IN THE TWILIGHT
THE FOOT-PATH
POEMS OF THE WAR.
THE WASHERS OF THE SHROUD
TWO SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF BLONDEL
MEMORIAE POSITUM
ON BOARD THE '76
ODE RECITED AT THE HARVARD COMMEMORATION
L'ENVOI: TO THE MUSE
THE CATHEDRAL
THREE MEMORIAL POEMS.
ONE READ AT THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIGHT AT
CONCORD BRIDGE
UNDER THE OLD ELM
AN ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876
HEARTSEASE AND RUE.
I. FRIENDSHIP.
AGASSIZ
TO HOLMES, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
IN A COPY OF OMAR KHAYYAM
ON RECEIVING A COPY OF MR. AUSTIN DOBSON'S 'OLD WORLD IDYLLS'
TO C. F. BRADFORD
BANKSIDE
JOSEPH WINLOCK
SONNET, TO FANNY ALEXANDER
JEFFRIES WYMAN
TO A FRIEND
WITH AN ARMCHAIR
E. G. DE R.
BON VOYAGE
TO WHITTIER, ON HIS SEVENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
ON AN AUTUMN SKETCH OF H. G. WILD
TO MISS D. T.
WITH A COPY OF AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE
ON PLANTING A TREE AT INVERARAY
AN EPISTLE TO GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
II. SENTIMENT.
ENDYMION
THE BLACK PREACHER
ARCADIA REDIVIVA
THE NEST
A YOUTHFUL EXPERIMENT IN ENGLISH HEXAMETERS
BIRTHDAY VERSES
ESTRANGEMENT
PHOEBE
DAS EWIG-WEIBLICHE
THE RECALL
ABSENCE
MONNA LISA
THE OPTIMIST
ON BURNING SOME OLD LETTERS
THE PROTEST
THE PETITION
FACT OR FANCY?
AGRO-DOLCE
THE BROKEN TRYST
CASA SIN ALMA
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
MY PORTRAIT GALLERY
PAOLO TO FRANCESCA
SONNET, SCOTTISH BORDER
SONNET, ON BEING ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH IN VENICE
THE DANCING BEAR
THE MAPLE
NIGHTWATCHES
DEATH OF QUEEN MERCEDES
PRISON OF CERVANTES
TO A LADY PLAYING ON THE CITHERN
THE EYE'S TREASURY
PESSIMOPTIMISM
THE BRAKES
A FOREBODING
III. FANCY
UNDER THE OCTOBER MAPLES
LOVE'S CLOCK
ELEANOR MAKES MACAROONS
TELEPATHY
SCHERZO
'FRANCISCUS DE VERULAMIO SIC COGITAVIT'
AUSPEX
THE PREGNANT COMMENT
THE LESSON
SCIENCE AND POETRY
A NEW YEAR'S GREETING
THE DISCOVERY
WITH A SEASHELL
THE SECRET
IV. HUMOR AND SATIRE.
FITZ ADAM'S STORY
THE ORIGIN OF DIDACTIC POETRY
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
CREDIDIMUS JOVEM REGNARE
TEMPORA MUTANTUR
IN THE HALF-WAY HOUSE
AT THE BURNS CENTENNIAL
IN AN ALBUM
AT THE COMMENCEMENT DINNER, 1866
A PARABLE
V. EPIGRAMS.
SAYINGS
INSCRIPTIONS
A MISCONCEPTION
THE BOSS
SUN-WORSHIP
CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES LOST IN A WAGER
SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
LAST POEMS.
HOW I CONSULTED THE ORACLE OF THE GOLDFISHES
TURNER'S OLD TEMERAIRE
ST. MICHAEL THE WEIGHER
A VALENTINE
AN APRIL BIRTHDAY--AT SEA
LOVE AND THOUGHT
THE NOBLER LOVER
ON HEARING A SONATA OF BEETHOVEN'S PLAYED IN THE NEXT ROOM
VERSES, INTENDED TO GO WITH A POSSET DISH
ON A BUST OF GENERAL GRANT
APPENDIX.
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND SERIES OF BIGLOW PAPERS
II. GLOSSARY TO THE BIGLOW PAPERS
III. INDEX TO BIGLOW PAPERS
INDEX OF FIRST LINES
INDEX OF TITLES
EARLIER POEMS
THRENODIA
Gone, gone from us! and shall we see
Those sibyl-leaves of destiny,
Those calm eyes, nevermore?
Those deep, dark eyes so warm and bright,
Wherein the fortunes of the man
Lay slumbering in prophetic light,
In characters a child might scan?
So bright, and gone forth utterly!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The stars of those two gentle eyes 10
Will shine no more on earth;
Quenched are the hopes that had their birth,
As we watched them slowly rise,
Stars of a mother's fate;
And she would read them o'er and o'er,
Pondering, as she sate,
Over their dear astrology,
Which she had conned and conned before,
Deeming she needs must read aright 19
What was writ so passing bright.
And yet, alas! she knew not why.
Her voice would falter in its song,
And tears would slide from out her eye,
Silent, as they were doing wrong.
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
The tongue that scarce had learned to claim
An entrance to a mother's heart
By that dear talisman, a mother's name,
Sleeps all forgetful of its art!
I loved to see the infant soul 30
(How mighty in the weakness
Of its untutored meekness! )
Peep timidly from out its nest,
His lips, the while,
Fluttering with half-fledged words,
Or hushing to a smile
That more than words expressed,
When his glad mother on him stole
And snatched him to her breast!
Oh, thoughts were brooding in those eyes, 40
That would have soared like strong-winged birds
Far, far into the skies,
Gladding the earth with song,
And gushing harmonies,
Had he but tarried with us long!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
How peacefully they rest,
Crossfolded there
Upon his little breast,
Those small, white hands that ne'er were still before, 50
But ever sported with his mother's hair,
Or the plain cross that on her breast she wore!
Her heart no more will beat
To feel the touch of that soft palm,
That ever seemed a new surprise
Sending glad thoughts up to her eyes
To bless him with their holy calm,--
Sweet thoughts! they made her eyes as sweet.
How quiet are the hands
That wove those pleasant bands!
But that they do not rise and sink 61
With his calm breathing, I should think
That he were dropped asleep.
Alas! too deep, too deep
Is this his slumber!
Time scarce can number
The years ere he shall wake again.
Oh, may we see his eyelids open then!
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
As the airy gossamere, 70
Floating in the sunlight clear,
Where'er it toucheth clingeth tightly,
Bound glossy leal or stump unsightly,
So from his spirit wandered out
Tendrils spreading all about,
Knitting all things to its thrall
With a perfect love of all:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
He did but float a little way
Adown the stream of time, 80
With dreamy eyes watching the ripples play,
Or hearkening their fairy chime;
His slender sail
Ne'er felt the gale;
He did but float a little way,
And, putting to the shore
While yet 't was early day,
Went calmly on his way,
To dwell with us no more!
No jarring did he feel, 90
No grating on his shallop's keel;
A strip of silver sand
Mingled the waters with the land
Where he was seen no more:
Oh stern word--Nevermore!
Full short his journey was; no dust
Of earth unto his sandals clave;
The weary weight that old men must,
He bore not to the grave.
He seemed a cherub who had lost his way 100
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us was short, and 't was most meet
That he should be no delver in earth's clod,
Nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
To stand before his God:
Oh blest word--Evermore!
THE SIRENS
The sea is lonely, the sea is dreary,
The sea is restless and uneasy;
Thou seekest quiet, thou art weary,
Wandering thou knowest not whither;--
Our little isle is green and breezy,
Come and rest thee! Oh come hither,
Come to this peaceful home of ours,
Where evermore
The low west-wind creeps panting up the shore 9
To be at rest among the flowers;
Full of rest, the green moss lifts,
As the dark waves of the sea
Draw in and out of rocky rifts,
Calling solemnly to thee
With voices deep and hollow,--
'To the shore
Follow! Oh, follow!
To be at rest forevermore!
Forevermore! '
Look how the gray old Ocean 20
From the depth of his heart rejoices,
Heaving with a gentle motion,
When he hears our restful voices;
List how he sings in an undertone,
Chiming with our melody;
And all sweet sounds of earth and air
Melt into one low voice alone,
That murmurs over the weary sea,
And seems to sing from everywhere,--
'Here mayst thou harbor peacefully, 30
Here mayst thou rest from the aching oar;
Turn thy curved prow ashore,
And in our green isle rest forevermore!
Forevermore! '
And Echo half wakes in the wooded hill,
And, to her heart so calm and deep,
Murmurs over in her sleep,
Doubtfully pausing and murmuring still,
'Evermore! '
Thus, on Life's weary sea, 40
Heareth the marinere
Voices sweet, from far and near,
Ever singing low and clear,
Ever singing longingly.
Is it not better here to be,
Than to be toiling late and soon?
In the dreary night to see
Nothing but the blood-red moon
Go up and down into the sea;
Or, in the loneliness of day, 50
To see the still seals only
Solemnly lift their faces gray,
Making it yet more lonely?
Is it not better than to hear
Only the sliding of the wave
Beneath the plank, and feel so near
A cold and lonely grave,
A restless grave, where thou shalt lie
Even in death unquietly?
Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark, 60
Lean over the side and see
The leaden eye of the sidelong shark
Upturned patiently,
Ever waiting there for thee:
Look down and see those shapeless forms,
Which ever keep their dreamless sleep
Far down within the gloomy deep,
And only stir themselves in storms,
Rising like islands from beneath,
And snorting through the angry spray, 70
As the frail vessel perisheth
In the whirls of their unwieldy play;
Look down! Look down!
Upon the seaweed, slimy and dark,
That waves its arms so lank and brown,
Beckoning for thee!
Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark
Into the cold depth of the sea!
