The National tribune., 1895-08-08

Lowell is delightful reading for Summer
days-for all tho year round for that matter
but there ia SO mnch outdoors in his poetry
that one feels particularly in sympathy with
him from the time of the first dandeion until
the last bright leaf hutters down, and Autumn
has come and gone.
We begin the Springtime and flower time
with his tribute to the dandeion.
Dear common Slower that grows't beside the way.
bringing the dusty road with harmless gold"
and are tempted to quote it again when the
golden rod comes but it is the dandeion's
own poem, and the other lines are only appli-
cable to the little pledge of May"
In the well-loved vision of Sir Launfal" is
the familiar June verse
ooh, what rare n day in June.
Then, if ever, come perfect days"
When we read
The dandelons and butiercups
Gid all the lawn; the drowsy bee
S,umbles among the clover tops,
And Summer sweetens all but me:
Away. unfruitful lore of books
For whose vain dom reject
The souls more native dialect
we can quickly SEQ that the poets heart Is
ont among the trees and flowers.
When Autumn comes, and the glorious In
dian Summer lies over she land, we enjoy it
moro for reading "An Indian Summer Rev.
ere," with all its 40 stanzas Some are sure
to please entirely, and through it all is a
frosty. glowing, Autumn-like coloriug.
THE Fountain" has dainty, dripping
measure like that in "Perdita." The birch
tree carries one right into cool, deep forest
and along the edge of brook. The oak tree
receives n just tribute. and robins seem to
have sung their sweetest for him.
His poems to women are IDEAL That excel
lent praise,
''She doeth little kindnesses,
Which most leave undone. despIse;
For naught that sets one heart at ease.
And giveth happiness or peace,
Is esteemed in her eyes"
comes from his pen.
There is one pathetic little lament, "Alad-
din's Lamp" that most folks can appreciate
In "a Prayer" is wonderful bit OF intense
and contrte longing. THE Vision of Sir
Launfal" is classic and too well. known to
need any discussion.
For grand. swinging measure there are the
Commemorative Ode" rected at Harvard, the
other memorial odes, the sonnets and the ever
occurring verses Oh freedom. Therein may be
found great thoughts nobly expressed. soul
stirring, and with lines that will ring in the
memory for all years to come.
Sometimes Lowell is very disappointing. In
Longing" one would wish for more dignifed
verse for splendid thought:
"Of Nil the myriad moods of mind
That through the soul come thronging,
Which one was eer so DEAR so kind,
So beautiful as longing?
The thing we long for, that we are
For one transcendent moment,
Before the present, poor aud bare,
Can make its sneerng comment"
The easy rhymes seem insignificant and much
rattle out.
Lowell however. is not duly appreciated as
he should be. His poetry may or may not
rank with the highest, but it is dainty where
one needs daintiness.
He is a comfortable poet, neither gloomy nor
frivolous, and not given to complicated express
sions that require another book to explain the
meanings. He has humor and pathos strength
aud daintiness. grandeur and simplicity in his
songs and stories, and the winds, the waters,
the forests, flowers, and birds have told him
many of their sweetest secrets, so that acquaint.
ance and friendship with his writings is liv-
ing joy.
.*x