John Whittier
John Whittier
John Greenleaf Whittierwas an American Quaker poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Frequently listed as one of the Fireside Poets, he was influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Whittier is remembered particularly for his anti-slavery writings as well as his book Snow-Bound...
best forward good grateful hope longer nor
No longer forward nor behind, I look in hope or fear; But grateful take the good I find, The best of now and here.
blest hers
No lance have I, in joust or fight, To splinter in my lady's sight; But, at her feet, how blest were I For any need of hers to die!
barefoot free hay maiden rode
Ah, that I were free again! Free as when I rode that day, Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay
barefoot free hay maiden rode
Ah, that I were free again! Free as when I rode that day, Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay
dared filled hardly known longing
And a nameless longing filled her breast, - A wish, that she hardly dared to own, For something better than she had known
might sad saddest tongue words
For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are those 'It might have been.'
against born fashion manliness poor sees
How dwarfed against his manliness she sees the poor pretension, the wants, the aims, the follies, born of fashion and convention!