James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowellwas an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the Fireside Poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets who rivaled the popularity of British poets. These poets usually used conventional forms and meters in their poetry, making them suitable for families entertaining at their fireside...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth22 February 1819
CountryUnited States of America
running heart blessing
Better to me the poor mans crust, Better the blessing of the poor, Though I turn me empty from his door; That is no true alms which the hand can hold; He gives nothing but worthless gold Who gives from a sense of duty; But he who gives a slender mite, And gives to that which is out of sight, That thread of the all-sustaining Beauty Which runs through all and doth all unite, - The hand cannot clasp the whole of his alms, The heart outstretches its eager palms, For a god goes with it and makes it store To the soul that was starving in darkness before.
education destiny america
It was in making education not only common to all, but in some sense compulsory on all, that the destiny of the free republics of America was practically settled.
religious believe eggs
Puritanism, believing itself quick with the seed of religious liberty, laid, without knowing it, the egg of democracy.
past safe headstone
Safe in the hallowed quiets of the past.
life fate jest
Life seems a jest of Fate's contriving.
fate simple men
The wisest man could ask no more of fate Than to be simple, modest, manly, true, Safe from the many, honored by the few; Nothing to court in Church, or World, or State, But inwardly in secret to be great.
weed heart winning
To win the secret of a weed's plain heart.
fudge stealing vain
In vain we call old notions fudge, And bend our conscience to our dealing; The Ten Commandments will not budge, And stealing will continue stealing.
crystals fancy emotion
Sentiment is intellectualized emotion; emotion precipitated, as it were, in pretty crystals by the fancy.
believe victory belief
The victory's in believing.
time book reading
What a sense of security in an old book which time has criticized for us.
strength wisdom men
Ah, men do not know how much strength is in poise, That he goes the farthest who goes far enough.
regret hands desire
Ah, in this world, where every guiding thread Ends suddenly in the one sure centre, death, The visionary hand of Might-have-been Alone can fill Desire's cup to the brim!
father men brave
Men! whose boast it is that ye Come of fathers brave and free, If there breathe on earth a slave, Are ye truly free and brave?