It may be glorious to write Thoughts that shall glad the two or three High souls, like those far stars that come in sight Once in a century.
James Russell LowellOver 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 ages drowsy blood Still shouts the inspiring sea.
James Russell LowellIt is the rooted instinct in men to admire what is better and more beautiful than themselves.
James Russell LowellI would hardly change the sorrowful words of the poets for their glad ones. Tears dampen the strings of the lyre, but they grow the tensor for it, and ring even the clearer and more ravishingly.
James Russell Lowell