Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Explore 18 quotes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Prose Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Topic

Enemies Empathy

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

Table-Talk (Longfellow) Prose Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Table-Talk." Prose Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Vol. 1. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1857.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Table-Talk." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000.

One, if by land, and two, if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Atlantic Monthly

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Topic

Battles of Lexington and Concord American Revolution

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

Paul Revere's Ride The Atlantic Monthly

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Paul Revere's Ride." The Atlantic Monthly, Jan. 1861.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Landlord's Tale: Paul Revere's Ride." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, st. 2.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Inevitability of death Passage of time Death The human condition

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

A Psalm of Life The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, [published anonymously]. "A Psalm of Life." The Knickerbocker. New York: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Oct. 1838, I. 13.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "A Psalm of Life." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 13.

Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Read The Rainy Day at allpoetry.com

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Topic

Yin and yang Rain Sadness Down days The human condition

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Rainy Day Ballads and Other Poems

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1842 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Rainy Day." Ballads and Other Poems. Cambridge: John Owen, 1842, I. 14.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Rainy Day." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 14.

Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Topic

Inner life Society and the individual Power of thought Thoughts

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Poets Keramos and Other Poems

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1878 1870s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Poets." Keramos and Other Poems. Boston: Houghton, Osgood & Company/London: G. Routledge and Sons, 1878, I. 12.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadswoth. "The Poets." Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 12.

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Waif: A Collection of Poems

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Topic

Cutting loose

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

Proem The Waif: A Collection of Poems

Language

English

Time

1845 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Proem." The Waif: A Collection of Poems. Boston: John Owen, 1845, st. 11.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Day Is Done." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, st. 11.

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

The soul The afterlife Life Death

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

A Psalm of Life The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, [published anonymously]. "A Psalm of Life." The Knickerbocker. New York: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Oct. 1838, I. 1.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "A Psalm of Life." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 1.

If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it;
Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Read Elegiac Verse at hwlongfellow.org

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Topic

Thinking big Goals

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

Elegiac Verse In the Harbor

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1882 1880s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Elegiac Verse." In the Harbor. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1882, st. 11.

Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing;
Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Read The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth at hwlongfellow.org

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Topic

Shortness of life Life and death Life Death

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth Tales of a Wayside Inn

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1873 1870s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth." Tales of a Wayside Inn. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1873, sect. 4.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Favorite Poems. Dover Publications, 1992, sect. 4.

This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Topic

The forest

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1847 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co., 1847, prologue.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, prologue.

His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate'er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Dignity of work Work

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Village Blacksmith The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1840 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." The Knickerbocker. New York City: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Nov. 1840, I. 9.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 9.

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,—act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Living in the moment Being present

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

A Psalm of Life The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, [published anonymously]. "A Psalm of Life." The Knickerbocker. New York: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Oct. 1838, I. 21.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "A Psalm of Life." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 21.

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Inspiration Legacy Motivation

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

A Psalm of Life The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, [published anonymously]. "A Psalm of Life." The Knickerbocker. New York: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Oct. 1838, I. 25.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "A Psalm of Life." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 25.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Hard work Patience

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

A Psalm of Life The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Statement Type

Advice

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, [published anonymously]. "A Psalm of Life." The Knickerbocker. New York: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Oct. 1838, I. 33.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "A Psalm of Life." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 33.

Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Daily life Routine

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Village Blacksmith The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1840 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." The Knickerbocker. New York City: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Nov. 1840, I. 39.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 39.

Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Topic

American experiment America

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Building of the Ship The Seaside and the Fireside

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1850 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Building of the Ship." The Seaside and the Fireside. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1850, I. 377.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Building of the Ship." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 377.

As unto the bow the cord is,
So unto the man is woman,
Though she bends him, she obeys him,
Though she draws him, yet she follows,
Useless each without the other!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Song of Hiawatha

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Topic

Gender relations Men and women

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Song of Hiawatha

Language

English

Time

1855 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. The Song of Hiawatha. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1855, pt. 10.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Song of Hiawatha." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, pt. 10.

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Knickerbocker

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Topic

Small town life

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Village Blacksmith The Knickerbocker

Medium

Poem Magazine

Language

English

Time

1840 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." The Knickerbocker. New York City: Lewis Gaylord Clark, Nov. 1840, I. 1.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Village Blacksmith." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, I. 1.