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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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163

[XIV. I saw a gate: a harsh voice spake and said]

I saw a gate: a harsh voice spake and said,
“This is the gate of Life;” above was writ,
“Leave hope behind, all ye who enter it;”
Then shrank my heart within itself for dread;
But, softer than the summer rain is shed,
Words dropt upon my soul, and they did say,
“Fear nothing, Faith shall save thee, watch and pray!”
So, without fear I lifted up my head,
And lo! that writing was not, one fair word
Was carven in its stead, and it was “Love.”
Then rained once more those sweet tones from above
With healing on their wings: I humbly heard,
“I am the Life, ask and it shall be given!
I am the way, by me ye enter Heaven!”
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