| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | To the Spirit of Keats | | By James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) |
| | | GREAT soul, thou sittest with me in my room, | |
| Uplifting me with thy vast, quiet eyes, | |
| On whose full orbs, with kindly lustre, lies | |
| The twilight warmth of ruddy ember gloom: | |
| Thy clear, soft tones will oft bring sudden bloom | 5 |
| Of hope secure, to him who lonely cries, | |
| Wrestling with the young poet’s agonies, | |
| Neglect and scorn, which seem a certain doom: | |
| Yes! the few words which, like great thunder-drops, | |
| Thy large heart down to earth shook doubtfully, | 10 |
| Thrilled by the inward lightning of its might, | |
| Serene and pure, like gushing joy of light, | |
| Shall track the eternal chords of Destiny, | |
| After the moon-led pulse of ocean stops. | | | | |
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