Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LILY OF THE VALLEY, by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Where the hare-bells are ringing Last Line: Sign the warrant for its death. Subject(s): Birds; Death; Lilies Of The Valley; Dead, The | ||||||||
WHERE the hare-bells are ringing Their peal of sunny flowers, And a bird of merry soul Sings away the birthday hours Of the valley-lily low, Opening, dewily and slow, Petals, dear to young and fair For the prophecy they bear Of the coming roses The free bold bird of merry soul Amidst his leaves cannot control His triumphant love of spring. Thou bird of joyous soul, Why can'st thou not control Thy triumphant love of spring? I know that thou dost rally Thy spirit proud to sing, Because to-day is born The lily of the valley. Oh! rather should'st thou mourn; For that flower so meek and low, Born with its own death-bell, Only cometh to foretell Unpitying winter's doom, Who in scorn doth lay it low In the tomb. Vain is all its prayer, It may flatter, as it will, The ungentle hours With its ring of toying flowers; Unrelenting they must kill With their scornful breath, For the very petals fair, Which the destined flower uncloses In its innocence, To plead for its defence, By the prophecy they bear Of the coming roses, Sign the warrant for its death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND BALLAD OF HUMAN LIFE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: DIRGE FOR WOLFRAM by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SAILORS' [OR MARINERS'] SONG by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |
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