468. "What Mr. Robinson Thinks."-The little poem "What Mr. Robinson Thinks" was a palpable hit, with its refrain:— "But John P. Sez he wunt vote for Guvener B." These lines took hold of the public fancy, and were repeated in season and out of season. It is said that Mr. Robinson, who was a worthy man, went abroad to get away from the sound of his own name. But on going to his hotel in Liverpool, the first thing he heard was a childish voice repeating :— "But John P. Robinson he." "The Biglow Papers" deservedly ranks as our best political satire. 469. "The Vision of Sir Launfal."-In 1848 appeared "The Vision of Sir Launfal," which must always remain his most popular work. It is a treatment of the old legend of the Holy Grail; and, excepting Tennyson's idyl, nothing more worthy of the theme has ever been written. The poem was written at white-heat. It was composed substantially in its present form in forty-eight hours, during which the poet scarcely ate or slept. We find in it a full expression of his poetic powers,-his energetic thought, his deep emotion, his vigorous imagination. the preludes the poet's love of nature is apparent, as well as the strong moral feeling that formed the substratum of his character. What lines are oftener quoted than these: : "And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days." In And the following verses contain a vigorous bit of moralizing: "For a cap and bells our lives we pay, 'Tis only God may be had for the asking." 470. “A Fable for Critics."-The same year appeared "A Fable for Critics," a literary satire without the savagery of Byron's "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," or the malignancy of Pope's "Dunciad." It is a humorous review of the leading American authors of the day; but beneath the fun there is a sober judgment that rarely erred in its estimates. Along with atrocious rhymes and barbarous puns, there are many felicitous characterizations. He calls Bryant, to whom he was scarcely just, an iceberg : "If he stir you at all, it is just, on my soul, Like being stirred up with the very North Pole." He hits off Poe as follows: "There comes Poe, with his raven, like Barnaby Rudge, 471. Self-Criticism.—He was quite as severe to himself as to any of his contemporaries; and, as will be seen from the following lines, he was not blind to his own peculiarities :— "There is Lowell, who's striving Parnassus to climb-- And rattle away till he's old as Methusalem, At the head of a march to the last New Jerusalem." The poem is loose in construction aud unsymmetrical in form, and it is to be regretted that the poet never thought it worth while to bring it into artistic shape. It was first published anonymously, but its authorship was soon fixed. Lowell was the only man in America who could have written it. 472. Course of Lectures-A larger career was now opening before him. Up to the time of her death, in 1853, his wife, in their beautiful home at Elmwood, had stimulated him to high endeavor. Always fond of reading, and blessed with a capacious memory, he had acquired a wide range of knowledge. In the winter of 1854-55, he delivered before the Lowell Institute a course of twelve lectures on the British poets. Disdaining the arts of the popular orator, he placed his reliance for success, where alone it can permanently rest, on genuine merit. He read his lectures in an earnest, manly way; and their learning, thought, critical insight, and poetic feeling gave to every discourse an indescribable charm. 473. Successor to Longfellow.-In 1855, on the resignation of Longfellow, he was appointed professor of modern languages at Harvard, with a leave of absence for two years, to study abroad. He resided chiefly at Dresden, and gave himself to a methodical course of reading in European literature. Like all men of large mould, he had an immense capacity for assimilation. When he returned to America in 1857, and entered upon his duties, he was not unworthy to occupy the chair of his illustrious predecessor. He was an admirable lecturer; and while his ability commanded the respect, his ready kindness won the affection, of the students. Harvard has never had, perhaps, a more popular professor. 474. Editorial Labors.--The year 1857 witnessed two important events in the life of Lowell. The first was his marriage to Miss Frances Dunlop of Portland, Me., who had superintended the education of his daughter during his absence abroad. The second was the establishment of the Atlantic, of which he became editor-in-chief. His contributions were in both prose and poetry, and were, it is needless to say, of a high order. He continued as editor till 1862, when he was succeeded by Mr. Fields. But his editorial career was not yet ended. In 1864 he took charge of the North American Review, of which he remained editor till 1873. He was particularly kind to young writers, and lost no opportunity to speak a word of encouragement. 475. "Fireside Travels."-In 1864 he published a volume in prose, entitled "Fireside Travels," containing "Cambridge Thirty Years Ago," "A Moosehead Journal," and "Leaves from My Journal in Italy and Elsewhere." It is a delightful book, full of wit, wisdom, and exuberant fancy. The tide of a full, strong life is reflected in its pages. . Here is a characteristic bit of description: "The chief feature of the place was its inns, of which there were five, with vast barns and courtyards, which the railroad was to make as silent and deserted as the palaces of Nimroud. Great white-topped wagons, each drawn by double files of six or eight horses, with its dusty bucket swinging from the hinder axle, and its grim bull-dog trotting silent underneath, or in midsummer panting on the lofty perch beside the driver (how elevated thither baffled conjecture), brought all the wares and products of the country to their mart and seaport in Boston. These filled the inn-yards, or were ranged side by side under broad-roofed sheds; and far into the night the mirth of their lusty drivers clamored from the red-curtained bar-room, while the single lantern, swaying to and fro in the black cavern of the stables, made a Rembrandt of the ostlers and horses below." 476. "Under the Willows."-"Under the Willows," a volume of poems published in 1869, exhibits Lowell's poetic genius at the zenith of its power. It is less luxuriant in manner, and its chaster form adds force to its wisdom and pathos. There is scarcely a poem that is not remarkable for some beauty. Sometimes it is a tender recollection of the past; again it is some weighty truth or telling apologue; or it is a bit of irresistible pathos or prophetic assertion of divine truth. The poems were composed at intervals through many years, according to the usual method : "Now, I've a notion, if a poet Beat up for themes, his verse will show it; I wait for subjects that hunt me, By day or night won't let me be, And hang about me like a curse, Till they have made me into verse. 477. Noteworthy Poems.-In "The First Snow-Fall " there is a fine touch of pathos : "Then, with eyes that saw not, I kissed her And she, kissing back, could not know That my kiss was given to her sister, Folded close under deepening snow." The following triplet from "For an Autograph," is a noble summons to lofty purpose:— "Greatly begin! though thou have time But for a line, be that sublime,- "Mahmood the Image-Breaker" teaches the incomparable worth of human integrity: "Little were a change of station, loss of life or crown, But the wreck were past retrieving, if the Man fell down." 478. Commemoration Odes.-The Commemoration Odes of Lowell are the best of their kind written in this country. Perhaps they have never been surpassed. He seized upon special occasions to pour forth a rich strain of patriotic reflection, eloquent thought, and poetic feeling and imagery. The "Ode Recited at the Harvard Commemoration," in memory of the ninetythree graduates who had died in the Civil War, appealed most strongly to the poet's heart. Among those who had lost their lives were eight relatives of the poet. As he recited the poem, it is said that his face, always expressive, was almost transfigured with the glow of an inward light. Its exalted key is struck in the opening lines :— |