The Vision of Sir Launfal: And Other Poems by James Russell Lowell; With a Biographical Sketch and Notes, a Portrait and Other Illustrations: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
The Vision of Sir Launfal: And Other Poems by James Russell Lowell; With a Biographical Sketch and Notes, a Portrait and Other Illustrations: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Vision of Sir Launfal: And Other Poems by James Russell Lowell; With a Biographical Sketch and Notes, a Portrait and Other Illustrations is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lowell, James Russell (1819–1891).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Vision of Sir Launfal" by James Russell Lowell is a poem written in the mid-19th century. It draws upon Arthurian legend to convey moral and social themes, focusing on the titular character, Sir Launfal, as he embarks on a quest for the Holy Grail. The poem explores topics such as charity, humanity, and the essence of true nobility, wherein the protagonist learns that true giving transcends material wealth. The opening of this work introduces us to Sir Launfal, a young knight eager to embark on his quest for the Holy Grail, a symbol of divine grace. As Launfal prepares for his journey, he encounters a leper who begs for alms, and upon recoiling in disgust, he gives a piece of gold but fails to recognize the human beneath the man’s suffering. The stark contrast between Launfal’s noble aspirations and his initial disdain for poverty sets the foundation for a life-altering revelation as the story unfolds. This initial encounter emphasizes the poem's central message that true honor lies in compassionate action toward those in need, setting the stage for Launfal's transformative quest.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Vision of Sir Launfal: And Other Poems by James Russell Lowell; With a Biographical Sketch and Notes, a Portrait and Other Illustrations
- Author credits: Lowell, James Russell (1819–1891)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American poetry
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Poetry
- Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



