By James Russell Lowell, one of the most noted of American poets; also
well known as an essayist and lecturer. He was born at Cambridge, Mass.,
in 1819, and died there in 1891.
1.
Into the sunshine,
Full of the light,
Leaping and flashing,
From morn till night!
2.
Into the moonlight,
Whiter than snow,
Waving so flower-like
When the winds blow!
3.
Into the starlight,
Rushing in spray,
Happy at midnight,
Happy by day!
4.
Ever in motion,
Blithesome and cheery,
Still climbing heavenward,
Never aweary;
5.
Glad of all weathers,
Still seeming best,
Upward or downward,
Motion, thy rest;
6.
Full of a nature
Nothing can tame,
Changed every moment,
Ever the same;
7.
Ceaseless aspiring,
Ceaseless content,
Darkness or sunshine
Thy element;
8.
Glorious fountain!
Let my heart be
Fresh, changeful, constant,
Upward like thee!
DEFINITIONS.--4. Blithe'some, gay. Cheer'y, in good spirits. A-wea'ry,
weary, tired. 7. As-pir'ing, ambitious. El'e-ment, the proper habitation
or sphere of anything, suitable state. 8. Con'-stant, fixed, not to be
changed.