Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS, by HENRY KING (1592-1669)


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A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you
Last Line: Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.
Subject(s): Flowers


Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain;
You come abroad and make a harmless show,
And to your beds of earth again;
You are not proud, you know your birth,
For your embroidered garments are from earth.

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever spring;
My fate would know no winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing;
Oh that I could my bed of earth but view,
And smile and look as cheerfully as you.

Oh teach me to see death and not to fear,
But rather to take truce;
How often have I seen you at a bier,
And there look fresh and spruce;
You fragrant flowers then teach me that my breath
Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.




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