There is a law of neutralization of forces, which hinders bodies from sinking beyond a certain depth in the sea; but in the ocean of baseness, the deeper we get, the easier the sinking.
James Russell LowellWho gives himself with his alms feeds three, himself, his hungering neighbor and me.
James Russell LowellTruly there is a tide in the affairs of men; but there is no gulf-stream setting forever in one direction.
James Russell LowellIn the parliament of the present every man represents a constituency of the past.
James Russell LowellThe dandelions and buttercups gild all the lawn: the drowsy bee stumbles among the clover tops, and summer sweetens all to me.
James Russell LowellSuddenly 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