JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
(1819-1891)

"I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PER-
FECT LOVE OF OURS"

I would not have this perfect love of ours
Grow from a single root, a single stem,
Bearing no goodly fruit, but only flowers
That idly hide life's iron diadem:

It should grow always like that Eastern

tree

Whose limbs take root and spread forth constantly;

That love for one, from which there doth not spring

Wide love for all, is but a worthless
thing.

Not in another world, as poets prate,
Dwell we apart above the tide of things, 10
High floating o'er earth's clouds on faery
wings;

But our pure love doth ever elevate
Into a holy bond of brotherhood

All earthly things, making them pure and
good.

1840.

"FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I
SEEK IN VAIN"

"For this true nobleness I seek in vain,
In woman and in man I find it not;
I almost weary of my earthly lot,
My life-springs are dried up with burning
pain.'

Thou find'st it not? I pray thee look
again,

Look inward through the depths of thine own soul.

How is it with thee? Art thou sound and whole?

Doth narrow search show thee no earthly
stain?

BE NOBLE! and the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping, but never dead, 10
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own;
Then wilt thou see it gleam in many

"MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE"

My Love, I have no fear that thou shouldst die;

Albeit I ask no fairer life than this, Whose numbering-clock is still thy gentle kiss,

While Time and Peace with hands en-
locked fly;

Yet care I not where in Eternity
We live and love, well knowing that there is
No backward step for those who feel the
bliss

Of Faith as their most lofty yearnings
high:

Love hath so purified my being's core,
Meseems I scarcely should be startled,