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James Russell Lowell Quotes - Page 12

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Through aisles of long-drawn centuries my spirit walks in thought.

Through aisles of long-drawn centuries my spirit walks in thought.

James Russell Lowell
Long, Spirit, Century
James Russell Lowell (1873). “The Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell”, p.384

The material of thought re-acts upon the thought itself.

James Russell Lowell
Materials
James Russell Lowell (1904). “Literary and political addresses”

Dear common flower, that grow'st beside the way, Fringing the dusty road with harmless gold, First pledge of blithesome May, Which children pluck, and, full of pride uphold.

James Russell Lowell
Children, Flower, Pride
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.82

A stray hair, by its continued irritation, may give more annoyance than a smart blow.

James Russell Lowell
Smart, Blow, Irritation
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.115

Wut 's words to them whose faith an' truth On war's red techstone rang true metal; Who ventered life an' love an' youth For the gret prize o' death in battle?

James Russell Lowell
Life, Truth, War
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.600, Delphi Classics

Against the windows the storm comes dashing, Through tattered foliage the hail tears crashing, The blue lightning flashes, The rapid hail clashes... The thunder is rumbling And crashing and crumbling.

James Russell Lowell
Blue, Weather, Tears
James Russell Lowell (1873). “The Poetical Works of James R. Lowell: Complete in Two Volumes”, p.19

Two meanings have our lightest fantasies,- One of the flesh, and of the spirit one.

James Russell Lowell
Two, Flesh, Spirit
James Russell Lowell (1844). “Poems”, p.264

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?

James Russell Lowell
Father, Men, Brave
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.52

Earth's noblest thing,-a woman perfected.

James Russell Lowell
Women, Earth
James Russell Lowell (1857). “Miscellaneous poems. Memorial verses. Sonnets. I-XXVII. L'Envoi. Vision of Sir Launfal”, p.11

Laborin' man an' laborin' woman Hev one glory an' one shame; Ev'y thin' thet' s done inhuman Injers all on 'em the same.

James Russell Lowell
Women, Ems, Done
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.184

Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave.

James Russell Lowell
Path, Virtue, Ends
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.756, Delphi Classics

The idol is the measure of the worshipper.

James Russell Lowell
Idols, Idolatry, Worshippers
James Russell Lowell (1889). “Books and Libraries: Democracy and Other Papers”

Like streams that keep a summer mind Snow-hid in Jenooary.

James Russell Lowell
Summer, Snow, Mind
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.252

The one thing finished in this hasty world.

James Russell Lowell
World, Hasty, Finished
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.771, Delphi Classics

Count me o'er earth's chosen heroes, - they were souls that stood alone, While the men they agonized for hurled the contumelious stone, Stood serene, and down the future saw the golden beam incline To the side of perfect justice, mastered by their faith divine, By one man's plain truth to manhood and to God's supreme design.

James Russell Lowell
Hero, Men, Perfect
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.66

Suddenly all the sky is hid As with the shutting of a lid, One by one great drops are falling Doubtful and slow, Down the pane they are crookedly crawling, And the wind breathes low; Slowly the circles widen on the river, Widen and mingle, one and all; Here and there the slenderer flowers shiver, Struck by an icy rain-drop’s fall.

James Russell Lowell
Rain, Flower, Fall
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.7

In the earliest ages science was poetry, as in the later poetry has become science.

James Russell Lowell
Science, Age, Latter
"Literary essays; Among my books, My study windows, Fireside travels".

A beggar through the world am I, From place to place I wander by. Fill up my pilgrim's scrip for me, For Christ's sweet sake and charity.

James Russell Lowell
Sweet, World, Charity
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.40, Delphi Classics

It is good To lengthen to the last a sunny mood.

James Russell Lowell
Lasts, Sunny, Mood
James Russell Lowell (1857). “Miscellaneous poems. Memorial verses. Sonnets. I-XXVII. L'Envoi. Vision of Sir Launfal”, p.61

These pearls of thought in Persian gulfs were bred, Each softly lucent as a rounded moon; The diver Omar plucked them from their bed, Fitzgerald strung them on an English thread.

James Russell Lowell
Moon, Bed, Pearls
'In a Copy of Omar Khayy m'

Certainly it is no shame to a man that he should be as nice about his country as his sweetheart, yet it would not be wise to hold everyone an enemy who could not see her with our own enchanted eyes.

James Russell Lowell
Wise, Country, Peace

Over our manhood bend the skies; Against our fallen and traitor lives The great winds utter prophecies; With our faint hearts the mountain strives, Its arms outstretched, the druid wood Waits with its benedicite And to our age’s drowsy blood Still shouts the inspiring sea.

James Russell Lowell
Nature, Heart, Blood
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.117

Hush! Still as death, The tempest holds his breath As from a sudden will; The rain stops short, but from the eaves You see it drop, and hear it from the leaves, All is so bodingly still.

James Russell Lowell
Rain, Weather, Tempest
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.45, Delphi Classics

Again, now, now, again Plashes the rain in heavy gouts, The crinkled lightning Seems ever brightening... And loud and long Again the thunder shouts His battle-song, - One quivering flash, One wildering crash, Followed by silence dead and dull, As if the cloud, let go, Leapt bodily below To whelm the earth in one mad overthrow, And then a total lull.

James Russell Lowell
Letting Go, Song, Rain
James Russell Lowell (1876). “The Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell”, p.7

The pale and quiet moon Makes her calm forehead bare, And the last fragments of the storm, Like shattered rigging from a fight at sea, Silent and few, are drifting over me.

James Russell Lowell
Fighting, Moon, Sea
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.8

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