James Russell Lowell on Christmas
1819–1891 United States
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5 quotes
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
Literary Essays, vol. II (1870)
That love for one, from which there doth not spring
Wide love for all, is but a worthless thing.
True love is but a humble, low born thing,
And hath its food served up in earthenware;
It is a thing to walk with, hand in hand,
Through the every-dayness of this workday world.
Not as all other women are
Is she that to my soul is dear;
Her glorious fancies come from far,
Beneath the silver evening star,
And yet her heart is ever near.
"What means this glory round our feet,"
The Magi mused, "more bright than morn!"
And voices chanted clear and sweet,
"To-day the Prince of Peace is born."