The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell

The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell

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The Romantic poet James Russell Lowell was associated with the Fireside Poets, a group of New England writers that were among the first American poets to rival the popularity of British poets. Their poetry usually employed conventional forms and metres, making their works suitable for families while entertaining 'at the fireside'. Lowell was the archetypal New England man of letters, remarkable for his cultivation and charm, his deep learning and his diverse literary talents. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Lowell's complete poetical works, with beautiful illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Lowell's life and worksConcise introductions to the life and poetry of LowellExcellent formatting of the poemsSpecial chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetryEasily locate the poems you want to readIncludes a wide selection of Lowell's proseFeatures a bonus biography - discover Lowell's literary lifeScholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genresPlease visit delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titlesCONTENTS:The Life and Poetry of James Russell LowellBRIEF INTRODUCTION: JAMES RUSSELL LOWELLCOMPLETE POETICAL WORKS OF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELLThe PoemsLIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDERLIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDERThe ProseAMONG MY BOOKSTHE FUNCTION OF THE POET AND OTHER ESSAYSMY GARDEN ACQUAINTANCEPOLITICAL ESSAYSThe BiographyBRIEF BIOGRAPHY: JAMES RUSSELL LOWELLPlease visit delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set

Chapter 1 No.1

In the old days of awe and keen-eyed wonder,

The Poet's song with blood-warm truth was rife;

He saw the mysteries which circle under

The outward shell and skin of daily life.

Nothing to him were fleeting time and fashion,

His soul was led by the eternal law;

There was in him no hope of fame, no passion,

But with calm, godlike eyes he only saw.

He did not sigh o'er heroes dead and buried,

Chief-mourner at the Golden Age's hearse, 10

Nor deem that souls whom Charon grim had ferried

Alone were fitting themes of epic verse:

He could believe the promise of to-morrow,

And feel the wondrous meaning of to-day;

He had a deeper faith in holy sorrow

Than the world's seeming loss could take away.

To know the heart of all things was his duty,

All things did sing to him to make him wise,

And, with a sorrowful and conquering beauty,

The soul of all looked grandly from his eyes. 20

He gazed on all within him and without him,

He watched the flowing of Time's steady tide,

And shapes of glory floated all about him

And whispered to him, and he prophesied.

Than all men he more fearless was and freer,

And all his brethren cried with one accord,-

'Behold the holy man! Behold the Seer!

Him who hath spoken with the unseen Lord!'

He to his heart with large embrace had taken

The universal sorrow of mankind, 30

And, from that root, a shelter never shaken,

The tree of wisdom grew with sturdy rind.

He could interpret well the wondrous voices

Which to the calm and silent spirit come;

He knew that the One Soul no more rejoices

In the star's anthem than the insect's hum.

He in his heart was ever meek and humble.

And yet with kingly pomp his numbers ran,

As he foresaw how all things false should crumble

Before the free, uplifted soul of man; 40

And, when he was made full to overflowing

With all the loveliness of heaven and earth,

Out rushed his song, like molten iron glowing,

To show God sitting by the humblest hearth.

With calmest courage he was ever ready

To teach that action was the truth of thought,

And, with strong arm and purpose firm and steady,

An anchor for the drifting world he wrought.

So did he make the meanest man partaker

Of all his brother-gods unto him gave; 50

All souls did reverence him and name him Maker,

And when he died heaped temples on his grave.

And still his deathless words of light are swimming

Serene throughout the great deep infinite

Of human soul, unwaning and undimming,

To cheer and guide the mariner at night.

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