James Russell Lowell

The idol is the measure of the worshipper.

The idol is the measure of the worshipper.

Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen.

Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen.

Endurance is the crowning quality,
And patience all the passion of great hearts.

Endurance is the crowning quality,
And patience all the passion of great hearts.

He who esteems the Virginia reel
A bait to draw saints from their spiritual weal,
And regards read more

He who esteems the Virginia reel
A bait to draw saints from their spiritual weal,
And regards the quadrille as a far greater knavery
Than crushing His African children with slavery,
Since all who take part in a waltz or cotillon
Are mounted for hell on the devil's own pillion,
Who, as every true orthodox Christian well knows,
Approaches the heart through the door of the toes.

And but two ways are offered to our will,
Toil with rare triumph, ease with safe disgrace,
read more

And but two ways are offered to our will,
Toil with rare triumph, ease with safe disgrace,
The problem still for us and all of human race.