Quote by James Russell Lowell

Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us;The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in,The priest hath his fee who comes and shrives us,We bargain for the graves we lie in;At the Devils booth are all things sold,Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold;For a cap and bells our lives we pay,Bubbles we buy with a whole souls tasking:T'is heaven alone that is given away,T'is only God may be had for the asking;No price is set on the lavish summer;June may be had by the poorest comer.And what is so rare as a day in June?Then, if ever, come perfect days;Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,And over it softly her warm ear lays:Whether we look, or whether we listen,We hear life murmur, or see it glisten.


Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us;The beggar is t

Summary

This quote by American poet and essayist James Russell Lowell reflects on the concept of value and the costs we incur in life. It suggests that Earth demands payment for what it gives us; even the poorest among us must pay for a corner to die in. Similarly, we must pay for the graves we lie in and bargain for our own fate. The quote contrasts material exchanges with the priceless gifts of heaven and nature. It highlights the rarity and beauty of a perfect day in June, emphasizing that these moments in which life's beauty is evident are invaluable and should be cherished.

Topics

Seasons
By James Russell Lowell
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Do you remember how slowly the days passed when you were a child? An 80-mile car trip seemed endless. It took forever for summer to come. When it finally did, by late-July, summer seemed interminable.Basic arithmetic reveals that for a two-year old, the next year will represent 33% of her life thus far, whereas for a 19-year old, the next year represents 5%, and for a 39 year-old, only 2.5%...More than anything else, the young child's perceptions influence how she experiences life. She has few markers that delineate the passage of time. On the first of each month, she pays no rent or mortgage. She has no job, and does not commute. She is likely to be regularly clothed, bathed, and cared for. The child arises each day with no agenda, no to do list. She experiences hunger, irritation, and sleepiness. She has some favorite activities -- her major activity is play. Each day brings new wonders... Meanwhile, she has no report to finish, no checkbook to balance, no across-town meetings. She does not even wear a watch.Your life is a bit more complicated, and is related increasingly to how society has become more complex. Independent of who you are or what you do for a living, chances are that you're busy, perhaps extremely busy, and are a part of our active, generally hard-working population.If you continually feel pressured, don't take it personally. You are experiencing the same dilemma as millions of other people, and you are part of the most time-pressed society of over-information and communication in historyhttp://www.breathingspace.com/

Jeff Davidson, edited passage fr