Nature

"No More But So?"

by James Russell Lowell 1819–1891

Nature

No more but so? Only with uncold looks,
And with a hand not laggard to clasp mine,
Think'st thou to pay what debt of love is thine?
No more but so? Like gushing water-brooks,
Freshening and making green the dimmest nooks
Of thy friend's soul thy kindliness should flow;
But, if 'tis bounded by not saying "no,"
I can find more of friendship in my books,
All lifeless though they be, and more, far more
In every simplest moss, or flower, or tree;
Open to me thy heart of hearts' deep core,
Or never say that I am dear to thee;
Call me not Friend, if thou keep close the door
That leads into thine inmost sympathy.
XX.

MLA

Lowell, James Russell. “"No More But So?".” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/lowell/41/.

Chicago

Lowell, James Russell. “"No More But So?".” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/lowell/41/.

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