Note 17 — Chapter X · LOWELL AND THE WAR FOR THE UNION 1858-1865 (continued 2)

There was a curious psychical incident connected with the delivery of the Ode which came to light afterward but apparently was not recorded till several years later. The incident is fully set forth in two letters to Dr. William James, which were published in the Proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research, March, 1889, where Dr. Royce printed a “Report of the Committee on Phantasms and Presentiments.” The first letter is from the gentleman in whose experience the incident occurred:—

My dear Mr. James,—I passed the night before commemoration day on a lounge in Hollis 21, the room of my college chum H., who had been tutor since our graduation, three years before. I woke (somewhat early, I should say) saying to myself these words: “And what they dare to dream of dare to die for.” I was enough awake to notice the appropriateness of the words to the occasion, but was sleepy enough to wonder whether they really expressed a lofty thought, or were lofty only in sound. Before I had made up my mind I dropped to sleep again.

In the afternoon I was in about the middle of the tent. Mr. Lowell stood under Hollis at nearly the same table. I heard very distinctly as he read “Those love her best.” I felt that something was coming which was familiar, and as he ended the line I felt that I could repeat the next one, and I did so, ahead of him. But as we proceeded I was confounded with the fact that apparently my line would not rhyme with his. As I said “die for,” he said “do.” I spent some minutes in trying to determine whether I liked his sentiment or mine the most.

That is all. After twenty-one years, details are dim. Some years ago, just before Mr. Lowell sailed for England, I sent him a statement, more detailed probably than this; but no doubt it became carbonic acid and water before he left the house.

The second letter is from Lowell, to whom Mr. W.’s letter had been sent by Dr. James:—

17th Feb., 1888.

Dear Dr. James,—My Commemoration Ode was very rapidly written, and came to me unexpectedly, for I had told Child, who was one of the committee (I suppose), that he must look for nothing from me. I sat up all the night before the ceremony, writing and copying out what I had written during the day. I think most of it was composed on that last day. I have no doubt the verse quoted by Mr. W. came to me in a flash, but whether during that last night or not I cannot say. Perhaps my MS. would show, if I had kept it, or if anybody else has. Child will remember my taking him apart under an elm, between Massachusetts and the Law School, that morning, that I might read him a part of the Ode, to see if it would do, for ’twas so fresh that I knew not, having probably not even had time to read it over. It was such a new thing in more senses than one.

I recollect Mr. W.’s letter, and think it was substantially like that to you. I did not burn it, I am sure, and ’twill, no doubt, turn up somewhere in my hay-stack of letters when I am “up back of the meetin’-house,” as Yankees used to say while there were any Yankees left....

There is one painful suggestion in the fact of Mr. W.’s anticipation, which I hardly venture to speak of. Was the verse already do? Did I steal it? Not to my knowledge; but perhaps it might be well to set a literary detective on my trail.

I return the letter. Faithfully yours, J. R. Lowell.