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Early poems

Lowell, James Russell (1819-1891)

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[section]
  
SONNET.
  
HAKON'S LAY.
  
A REVERIE.
  
IN SADNESS.
  
OPENING POEM TO A YEAR'S LIFE.
  
DEDICATION TO VOLUME OF POEMS ENTITLED A YEAR'S LIFE.
  
SONG.
  
THE DEPARTED.
  
THE BOBOLINK.
  
FORGETFULNESS.
  
SONG.
  
THE POET.
  
FLOWERS.
  
THE LOVER.
  
TO E. W. G.
  
ISABEL.
  
MUSIC.
  
SONG.
  
IANTHE.
  
LOVE'S ALTAR.
  
IMPARTIALITY.
  
BELLEROPHON.
  
SOMETHING NATURAL.
  
A FEELING.
  
THE LOST CHILD.
  
THE CHURCH.
  
THE UNLOVELY.
  
LOVE-SONG.
  
SONG.
  
A LOVE-DREAM.
  
SPHINX.
  
“GOE, LITTLE BOOKE!”
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SONNETS.
 1. 
I. DISAPPOINTMENT.
 2. 
[II. Great human nature, whither art thou fled]
 3. 
III. TO A FRIEND.
 4. 
[IV. So may it be, but let it not be so]
 6. 
[VI. For this true nobleness I seek in vain]
 7. 
VII. To ---
 8. 
[VIII. Might I but be beloved, and, O most fair]
 9. 
[IX. Why should we ever weary of this life?]
 10. 
X. GREEN MOUNTAINS.
 11. 
[XI. My friend, adown Life's valley, hand in hand]
 12. 
[XII. Verse cannot say how beautiful thou art]
 13. 
[XIII. The soul fain its loving kindness tell]
 14. 
[XIV. I saw a gate: a harsh voice spake and said]
 15. 
[XV. I would not have this perfect love of ours]
 16. 
[XVI. To the dark, narrow house where loved ones go]
 17. 
[XVII. I fain would give to thee the loveliest things]
 18. 
[XVIII. Much I had mused of Love, and in my soul]
 19. 
[XIX. Sayest thou, most beautiful, that thou wilt wear]
 20. 
[XX. Poet! who sittest in thy pleasant room]
 21. 
XXI. “NO MORE BUT SO?”
 22. 
XXII. TO A VOICE HEARD IN MOUNT AUBURN.
 23. 
XXIII. ON READING SPENSER AGAIN.
 24. 
[XXIV. Light of mine eyes! with thy so trusting look]
 25. 
[XXV. Silent as one who treads on new-fallen snow]
 26. 
[XXVI. A gentleness that grows of steady faith]
 27. 
[XXVII. When the glad soul is full to overflow]
 28. 
XXVIII. TO THE EVENING-STAR.
 29. 
XXIX. READING.
 30. 
XXX. TO---, AFTER A SNOW-STORM.
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SONNETS ON NAMES.
 1. 
I. EDITH.
 2. 
II. ROSE.
 3. 
III. MARY.
 4. 
IV. CAROLINE.
 5. 
V. ANNE.

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[IX. Why should we ever weary of this life?]

Why should we ever weary of this life?
Our souls should widen ever, not contract,
161

Grow stronger, and not harder, in the strife,
Filling each moment with a noble act;
If we live thus, of vigor all compact,
Doing our duty to our fellow-men,
And striving rather to exalt our race
Than our poor selves, with earnest hand or pen
We shall erect our names a dwelling-place
Which not all ages shall cast down agen;
Offspring of Time shall then be born each hour,
Which, as of old, earth lovingly shall guard,
To live forever in youth's perfect flower,
And guide her future children Heavenward.
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