Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FALLING STARS, by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FALLING STARS, by                    
First Line: Shepherd, you tell us that our star
Last Line: That falls, and falls, and disappears.
Subject(s): Stars


SHEPHERD, you tell us that our star
Shining in heaven our fate decides.
True child, such mystic lights there are,
But night their guiding lustre hides.
Shepherd, they say the azure skies
Keep not their secret from your ears;
What then that star that madly flies,
Falls, and falls, and disappears?

My child, e'en now a man expires--
His star this very moment sinks!
Amid the friends whom mirth inspires
He joins the song and gaily drinks:
In tranquil happy sleep he lies,
He feels no pang, he knows no fears--
See! a fresh star across the skies
Falls, and falls, and disappear!

Child, that pure lovely star doth move
For one herself as pure and bright--
A happy girl, whose happy love
An equal passion doth requite.
Upon her brow the mother ties
The wedding wreath, the fane she nears--
Another star across the skies
Falls, and falls, and disappears!

That star, which heaven so quickly cleaves,
Marks some great noble lately born;
The cradle that he vacant leaves
Do purple pomp and gold adorn;
Minions, with poisonous flatteries,
Were eager to seduce his ears--
Another star across the skies
Falls, and falls, and disappears!

My child! what an ill-omened glare!
It for a favourite shines, who thought
A statesman's glorious name to bear
Because our griefs he set at nought:
The knave who served his fantasies
From of the wall his portrait clears--
Another star across the skies
Falls, and falls, and disappears!

Son, there a good man's star is seen,
One, kind as rich, we have to weep;
With others poverty might glean,
With him she might a harvest reap:
E'en now, secure of sympathy,
His roof the homeless beggar nears--
Another star across the sky
Falls, and falls, and disappears!

I read 'tis for a mighty king--
Go thou, my son, keep fast to right,
And may thy star no glitter bring
Of fame or undeserving might.
Shouldst dazzle without worth the eyes
'Twill sound within the dying ears.
'Tis but a star across the skies
That falls, and falls, and disappears.





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