What does 'thews' mean and why does Lowell use it?

"Thews" is an old English term that refers to muscles or physical strength. Lowell uses it to make the case that forgotten words still pack a punch—they're not weak or outdated, just out of style. There's an interesting twist in employing an archaic term to champion the use of such words.

What is the rhyme scheme and form of the poem?

The poem consists of an octave (eight lines) crafted in iambic pentameter, following the ABBAABBA rhyme scheme — mirroring the octave structure of a Petrarchan sonnet. While Lowell doesn't finish a complete sonnet, this form resonates with the classical tradition he aims to honor.

Who are the 'old poets' Lowell is referring to?

He refers to the poets from medieval and early modern England — writers such as Chaucer, Spenser, and their contemporaries. Lowell was a dedicated scholar of this era and truly appreciated their straightforwardness, emotional depth, and the richness of their language.

Why does Lowell mention childhood at the end?

By stating that this reverence has grown in him "since my childhood's prime," he emphasizes that it's not just a pose or a trendy idea he adopted later on. Instead, it's a profound and enduring sentiment, making his defense feel more personal and persuasive.

What does 'starry eminence' mean?

It's Lowell's way of capturing the beauty of the English language — elevated, bright, almost cosmic. He argues that it reached this level due to the emotional depth and sincerity of those early poets, making their words something we should preserve and use.

Is this poem part of a larger work?

Yes. It looks like an explanatory note in a larger poem or annotated text, where Lowell uses words like "sate" and "tree" (which means cross) that might confuse today's readers. The poem is basically a footnote that turned into a small lyric of its own.

What is the overall message of the poem in simple terms?

When old words appear in my poetry, it’s not about trying to sound smart or sophisticated — it’s about my deep love and respect for the poets who first used those words, and that appreciation has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.

The Annotated Edition

Sate: The use of this archaic form adds to the antique flavor by James Russell Lowell

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

Read aloud in ~1 minOpen reading mode →

In this brief poem, Lowell explains why he enjoys using old-fashioned words from early English poets.

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

The PoemFull text

Sate: The use of this archaic form adds to the antique flavor

James Russell Lowell

of the poem. So with the use of the word "tree" for cross, in line 281 below. Lowell was passionately fond of the old poets and the quaint language of the early centuries of English literature, and loved to introduce into his own poetry words and phrases from these sources. Of this habit he says: "If some small savor creep into my rhyme Of the old poets, if some words I use, Neglected long, which have the lusty thews Of that gold-haired and earnest-hearted time, Whose loving joy and sorrow all sublime Have given our tongue its starry eminence,-- It is not pride, God knows, but reverence Which hath grown in me since my childhood's prime."

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

In this brief poem, Lowell explains why he enjoys using old-fashioned words from early English poets. He clarifies that when these antique terms appear in his writing, it’s not about showing off; it's rooted in his genuine love and respect for the poets who preceded him. He shares that this admiration has been part of him since childhood.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

If some small savor creep into my rhyme / Of the old poets, if some words I use,
Editor's note
Lowell begins with a conditional statement: *if* you happen to detect a hint of older poetry in my writing, or *if* you notice me using words that are no longer in vogue, please listen before passing judgment. The word "savor" is a bit old-fashioned, which serves as a subtle example of his point — he’s already engaging in the very practice he’s about to discuss.
Neglected long, which have the lusty thews / Of that gold-haired and earnest-hearted time,
Editor's note
"Thews" refers to physical strength or muscle—so these overlooked words still carry genuine vitality; they haven’t weakened over time. "Gold-haired and earnest-hearted" is Lowell's warm depiction of medieval and early modern English poets: youthful, dynamic, and sincere. He’s not scavenging a dusty museum; he’s drawing inspiration from figures he truly respects.
Whose loving joy and sorrow all sublime / Have given our tongue its starry eminence,--
Editor's note
Here Lowell makes a striking assertion: the emotional depth of those old poets — their ability to express both joy and profound sorrow — is exactly what elevated the English language. "Starry eminence" elevates the language to something nearly celestial, a vibrant legacy rather than merely a historical artifact.
It is not pride, God knows, but reverence / Which hath grown in me since my childhood's prime.
Editor's note
The poem arrives at its true essence: the motive isn't about vanity or flaunting literary skills; it's about reverence — a profound, almost spiritual respect. Importantly, this feeling isn't something he adopted later; it has been within him since he was a child. The phrase "God knows" adds a quiet, sincere gravity to the statement that aligns with the honesty he's expressing.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone is earnest and subtly defensive — Lowell seems to be anticipating criticism and addressing it preemptively. However, there's nothing anxious about his approach. He speaks with the calm confidence of someone who has reflected on this for a long time. The overall vibe is warm and respectful, akin to someone sharing a lifelong passion with an audience that is skeptical yet open-minded.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

Savor: The faint taste or scent of something — here it represents the subtle presence of archaic language in Lowell's poetry. It hints at something organic and natural, rather than forced or deliberate.
Thews: Literally refers to muscles or physical strength. Lowell uses it to argue that old words aren't weak or dead—they still hold genuine expressive power. The word serves as an example of the very concept it describes.
Gold-haired and earnest-hearted time: A romanticized view of the medieval and early modern period in English poetry. "Gold-haired" suggests youth and energy, while "earnest-hearted" indicates sincerity. Together, these terms reflect an idealized literary heritage that Lowell aims to celebrate.
Starry eminence: The brilliance of the English language is envisioned as something radiant and noble. It portrays the language not just as a neutral tool, but as a vibrant accomplishment shaped by generations of poets.
Childhood's prime: The source of Lowell's admiration for old poetry. By tracing this sentiment back to his childhood, he portrays it as genuine and deeply ingrained rather than just a learned attitude he picked up later in life.

§06Historical context

Historical context

James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a prominent American poet and critic in the nineteenth century, part of the New England literary scene alongside figures like Longfellow, Holmes, and Whittier. He immersed himself in early English literature at a time when many American writers were struggling to define their identities in relation to European traditions rather than embracing them. In this poem, he defends his choice of archaic words like "sate," "thews," and "tree" (to mean cross), which some readers felt were pretentious or hard to understand. For Lowell, these words were not mere decorations; they were vital connections to the poets of Chaucer's time and the early Renaissance. He believed that the emotional depth and linguistic richness of that era had never been matched. His role as a Harvard professor and later as a diplomat provided him with the academic background and public platform needed to present his arguments effectively.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

He's defending his habit of using archaic — old-fashioned or obsolete — words in his poetry. Some readers and critics think this comes off as affected or needlessly obscure, but Lowell is clarifying that his intention is to honor the poets who originally used those words, rather than to flaunt his knowledge.

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Sate: The use of this archaic form adds to the antique flavor by James Russell Lowell

Sate: The use of this archaic form adds to the antique flavor

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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