Hosea Biglow is a fictional Yankee farmer created by Lowell for *The Biglow Papers*, a collection of satirical poems written in the New England dialect. Biglow's letters and verses take aim at American politicians, the Mexican-American War, and later the Civil War era. They gained immense popularity during Lowell's time and are regarded as some of the most incisive political satire in American literary history.

What is 'After the Burial' about?

'After the Burial' is a heartfelt poem Lowell penned following the death of his daughter Rose in 1850. It's one of his most emotionally intense works, resisting the well-meaning but hollow reassurances people often give to those in mourning — he rejects comfort from clichés about heaven or the natural order of life. In this index, it emerges as one of the most profoundly painful titles on the list.

What does 'Auspex' mean?

An auspex was a Roman priest who interpreted omens by observing birds in flight. Lowell adopts this title for a brief lyric that explores how the heart loses its youthful ability to feel deeply. The speaker reflects on a time when they could easily read emotional signs, but that sensitivity has faded. It's a poem about aging and emotional numbness, wrapped in classical imagery.

Why are some titles in foreign languages?

Lowell had a rich education in European languages and literature, spending considerable time in Europe. Titles such as 'Auf Wiedersehen' (German: 'until we meet again'), 'Agro-Dolce' (Italian: 'bittersweet'), and 'Al Fresco' (Italian: 'in the open air') showcase his cosmopolitan background. They also hint at the mood or tradition that a poem engages with even before you read the first line.

Who was Agassiz, and why did Lowell write a poem about him?

Louis Agassiz was a Swiss-American naturalist and a professor at Harvard, renowned as one of the leading scientists of the nineteenth century. He shared a close friendship and collaboration with Lowell during their time at Harvard. After Agassiz passed away in 1873, Lowell penned an extensive memorial ode to honor him—this poem stands out as one of the most ambitious works in his career, intertwining personal sorrow with insights on science, nature, and intellectual exploration.

What is the 'Burns Centennial' poem about?

In 1859, the centennial of Robert Burns's birth was celebrated throughout the English-speaking world with dinners and public readings. Lowell was invited to compose a poem for the event. These 'occasional poems'—created for specific public occasions—were an important aspect of a Victorian poet's social responsibilities, and Lowell was among the most sought-after writers for such assignments in America.

What does 'Arcadia Rediviva' mean?

It's Latin for 'Arcadia Revived.' Arcadia was an area in ancient Greece that came to represent an ideal pastoral world in poetry and art — one that's peaceful, simple, and connected to nature. 'Rediviva' translates to brought back to life. Lowell uses this title to hint at a poem about reclaiming or reimagining that lost ideal, reflecting his ongoing interest in the struggle between an idealized past and a messy present.

The Annotated Edition

CAPITALS. by James Russell Lowell

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

Read aloud in ~1 minOpen reading mode →

This isn't your typical poem; instead, it's an alphabetical index of poem titles from James Russell Lowell's collected works, organized under the letters A and B.

Poet: James Russell Lowell
Themes: art, identity, memory

The PoemFull text

CAPITALS.

James Russell Lowell

A.C.L., To. Above and Below. Absence. After the Burial. Agassiz. Agro-Dolce. Al Fresco. Aladdin. Alexander, Fanny, To. All-Saints. Allegra. Ambrose. Anti-Apis. Appledore, Pictures from. April Birthday, An--at Sea. Arcadia Rediviva. At the Burns Centennial. At the Commencement Dinner, 1866. Auf Wiedersehen. Auspex. Bankside. Bartlett, Mr. John, To. Beaver Brook. Beggar, The. Bibliolatres. Biglow, Mr. Hosea, to the Editor of the Atlantic Monthly. Biglow, Mr., Latest Views of.

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

This isn't your typical poem; instead, it's an alphabetical index of poem titles from James Russell Lowell's collected works, organized under the letters A and B. You can think of it as a table of contents you'd find at the beginning of a poetry book—it points you to each poem rather than weaving a narrative. It serves as a guide to Lowell's diverse body of work, covering everything from personal dedications to nature sketches and political satire.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

A.C.L., To. / Above and Below.
Editor's note
The 'A' section begins with a dedication poem for someone referred to only by their initials, then shifts straight into a poem that explores contrasts. The variety of titles — personal, philosophical, and descriptive — shows that Lowell's work spans a wide range, addressing everything from intimate feelings to broader concepts.
Absence. / After the Burial.
Editor's note
'Absence' and 'After the Burial' are two of Lowell's most emotionally resonant titles. 'After the Burial' is a poignant elegy that he wrote following the death of his daughter Rose. Its quiet alphabetical placement here doesn’t highlight it in any particular way — and that subtlety adds to its impact.
Agassiz. / Agro-Dolce.
Editor's note
'Agassiz' is a lengthy memorial ode dedicated to the Swiss-American naturalist Louis Agassiz, who was a close friend of Lowell's. 'Agro-Dolce' translates to 'bittersweet' in Italian, and the Italian and Latin titles found throughout this section (Al Fresco, Arcadia Rediviva) showcase Lowell's classical education and his experiences in Europe.
Aladdin. / Alexander, Fanny, To.
Editor's note
'Aladdin' is one of Lowell's most quoted poems, reflecting on youthful idealism and the challenges of growing up. Its location next to a personal dedication to Fanny Alexander, a friend and artist, illustrates how Lowell effortlessly navigated between public, mythic themes and private, social matters.
All-Saints. / Allegra.
Editor's note
'All-Saints' touches on themes of religious observance, while 'Allegra' — which means 'lively' or 'joyful' — probably refers to an individual. These titles suggest the themes of faith and friendship that are present in Lowell's personal poetry.
Ambrose. / Anti-Apis.
Editor's note
'Ambrose' is another personal address. 'Anti-Apis' is a clever title — Apis was the sacred bull of ancient Egypt, so 'Anti-Apis' hints at skepticism or satire regarding idol-worship, whether in religion or politics. This reflects Lowell's satirical edge.
Appledore, Pictures from. / April Birthday, An--at Sea.
Editor's note
Appledore is one of the Isles of Shoals located off the coast of New Hampshire, known as a popular spot for artists and writers during Lowell's time. 'An April Birthday at Sea' connects a personal milestone with a vast natural backdrop—both titles illustrate how Lowell ties personal experience to specific locations.
Arcadia Rediviva. / At the Burns Centennial.
Editor's note
'Arcadia Rediviva' translates to 'Arcadia Revived,' evoking a longing for an idealized pastoral world. 'At the Burns Centennial' is an occasional poem crafted for the 1859 celebration of Robert Burns, highlighting Lowell's position as a public poet invited to commemorate cultural milestones.
At the Commencement Dinner, 1866. / Auf Wiedersehen.
Editor's note
Another occasional poem, this one linked to a specific event at Harvard. 'Auf Wiedersehen' — which means 'until we meet again' in German — serves as a farewell poem, and its German title highlights the transatlantic literary culture that Lowell was part of. It wraps up the 'A' section with a sense of departure.
Auspex.
Editor's note
The final 'A' entry. An auspex in ancient Rome was a priest who interpreted omens based on bird flights. Lowell uses this title to set the stage for a poem about the heart's diminished ability to feel — the speaker is a once-gifted prophet of emotion who can no longer discern the signs. This poem stands out as one of his most quietly heartbreaking short lyrics.
Bankside. / Bartlett, Mr. John, To.
Editor's note
The 'B' section starts with a reference to Bankside, which brings to mind Shakespeare's London, and includes a dedication to John Bartlett, who compiled *Familiar Quotations* and was a close friend of Lowell. This combination of a literary landmark and a literary friend reflects the essence of Lowell's world.
Beaver Brook. / Beggar, The.
Editor's note
'Beaver Brook' is a nature poem inspired by Lowell's surroundings in Elmwood, Massachusetts. In contrast, 'The Beggar' addresses social issues. Together, these poems highlight the two extremes of Lowell's lyrical work: the reflective beauty of nature and the harsh realities of poverty and moral responsibility.
Bibliolatres. / Biglow, Mr. Hosea, to the Editor of the Atlantic Monthly.
Editor's note
'Bibliolatres' — worshippers of the book — pokes fun at those who prioritize texts over genuine ideas. The Biglow entries signal the start of Lowell's most well-known satirical work: *The Biglow Papers*, crafted in Yankee dialect, taking aim at American politics, slavery, and the Mexican-American War.
Biglow, Mr., Latest Views of.
Editor's note
The second Biglow entry shows that the index includes several parts of the series. Hosea Biglow is a made-up New England farmer whose straightforward letters reveal the hypocrisy of politicians and warmongers. The title 'Latest Views' hints at a continuous, serial satire — Lowell acts like a nineteenth-century political columnist, but in verse.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone of this reference index may seem neutral and organizational at first glance. However, as you read through it, you can sense the quiet confidence of a poet reflecting on a long career. There's no drama or argument here—just a steady list of titles that hint at a life dedicated to writing about topics ranging from grief and politics to the sound of birdsong. The inclusion of a few foreign-language titles, like Auf Wiedersehen, Agro-Dolce, and Al Fresco, adds a touch of cosmopolitan flair without being ostentatious.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

Alphabetical order: The strict A-to-B sequence removes any sense of hierarchy from the poems. A personal elegy ('After the Burial') stands alongside a comic satire (Biglow) without any editorial notes. The alphabet itself symbolizes a democratic arrangement — no poem holds more importance than another.
Foreign-language titles (Auf Wiedersehen, Agro-Dolce, Al Fresco): These titles reflect Lowell's deep engagement with European culture and languages. They position him as a poet who navigated between American vernacular, as seen in the Biglow dialect poems, and a more cosmopolitan literary tradition — a tension that is key to his identity.
Dedications ('To.'): Several entries are addressed to specific individuals. In a collected index, these dedications serve as a reminder that for Lowell, poetry was also a social act — a means of honoring friendships, marking occasions, and connecting with both the living and the dead.
Place names (Appledore, Beaver Brook, Bankside): Many titles are anchored in specific locations, rooting Lowell's imagination in real geography. New England landscapes coexist with Shakespearean London, indicating that both home and the broader world hold a place in his imagination.
Auspex: The Roman bird-reader who wraps up the 'A' section serves as a subtle reflection of the poet — a person who used to find significance in little signs but now worries that this ability is slipping away. This adds an unexpectedly personal touch to the index before the 'B' section starts.

§06Historical context

Historical context

James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a key figure in nineteenth-century American literature—he was a poet, critic, editor of *The Atlantic Monthly*, a Harvard professor, and later served as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Britain. This index of poem titles under the letters A and B comes from the 'Capitals' section of his collected works, a common feature in Victorian-era poetry collections that helped readers find poems in alphabetical order. Lowell's writing spanned a wide variety of forms: from personal elegies and nature lyrics to political satire (like the *Biglow Papers*), occasional verse for public events, and lengthy memorial odes. The index showcases this diversity without any commentary. It was put together in the later part of his career, at a time when he was recognized as America's leading man of letters, and it reflects a body of work influenced by personal loss, abolitionist politics, and a strong connection to both American and European literary traditions.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

Not in the conventional sense. 'Capitals' is essentially an alphabetical list of poem titles from Lowell's collected works, acting like a table of contents. This was a common feature in Victorian poetry collections, making it easier for readers to locate specific poems. Reading it from start to finish offers a broad overview of Lowell's style and themes, but it doesn’t weave a narrative or present an argument like a lyric poem would.

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CAPITALS. by James Russell Lowell

CAPITALS.

What this poem is about

Recurring themes

Stanza by stanza, with notes

How this poem feels

Symbols & metaphors

Historical context

Questions readers ask

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