The Fountain
Reading edition
By James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell (1819-1891): An American author. Among his best known poems are "The Vision of Sir Launfal," "A Fable for Critics," and "The Biglow Papers." "My Study Windows" and "Among My Books" are the best of his prose works. He was Minister to Spain and afterwards to Great Britain, and the volume "Democracy" contains some of his most brilliant addresses.
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!
Sprāy: water falling in very small drops. Blīt̶he´sȯme: gay; cheerful. Ȧ wēa´ry̆: tired. Ăs pīr´ĭng: rising upward.
Select ten words which tell what the fountain does.