James Russell Lowell

He seemed a cherub who had lost his way
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us read more

He seemed a cherub who had lost his way
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us was short, and 'twas most meet,
That he should be no delver in earth's clod,
Nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
To stand before his God:
O blest word--Evermore!

The future works out great men's destinies;
The present is enough for common souls,
Who, never looking read more

The future works out great men's destinies;
The present is enough for common souls,
Who, never looking forward, are indeed
Mere clay wherein the footprints of their age
Are petrified forever.

For there's nothing we read of in torture's inventions,
Like a well-meaning dunce, with the best of intentions.

For there's nothing we read of in torture's inventions,
Like a well-meaning dunce, with the best of intentions.

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.

Winds wanders, and dews drip earthward;
Rains fall, suns rise and set;
Earth whirls, and all but read more

Winds wanders, and dews drip earthward;
Rains fall, suns rise and set;
Earth whirls, and all but to prosper
A poor little violet.