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
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.
Chapter 1 No.1
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Chapter 2 No.2
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Chapter 3 No.3
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Chapter 4 No.4
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Chapter 5 TO A.C.L.
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Chapter 6 No.6
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Chapter 7 No.7
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Chapter 8 No.8
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Chapter 9 TO THE SPIRIT OF KEATS
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Chapter 10 No.10
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Chapter 11 No.11
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Chapter 12 TO M.W., ON HER BIRTHDAY
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Chapter 13 No.13
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Chapter 14 No.14
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Chapter 15 No.15
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Chapter 16 SUB PONDERE CRESCIT
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Chapter 17 No.17
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Chapter 18 ON READING WORDSWORTH'S SONNETS IN DEFENCE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
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Chapter 19 THE SAME CONTINUED
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Chapter 20 THE SAME CONTINUED 20
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Chapter 21 THE SAME CONTINUED 21
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Chapter 22 THE SAME CONTINUED 22
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Chapter 23 THE SAME CONCLUDED
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Chapter 24 TO M.O.S.
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Chapter 25 No.25
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Chapter 26 IN ABSENCE
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Chapter 27 WENDELL PHILLIPS
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Chapter 28 THE STREET
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Chapter 29 No.29
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Chapter 30 TO J.R. GIDDINGS
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Chapter 31 No.31
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Chapter 32 No.32
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Chapter 33 No.33
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Chapter 34 No.34
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Chapter 35 No.35
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Chapter 36 No.36
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Chapter 37 No.37
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Chapter 38 No.38
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Chapter 39 No.39
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Chapter 40 No.40
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Other books by James Russell Lowell
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