Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DEGENERACY, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEGENERACY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Has nature's self been going backward
Last Line: And yet are faithful now no more.
Subject(s): Faith; Flowers; Nature; Belief; Creed


HAS Nature's self been going backward,
And human faults assuming, then?
The very plants and beasts, I fancy,
Now lie as much as mortal men.

I trust not in the lily's chasteness;
The colour'd fop, the butterfly,
Toys with her, kisses, round her flutters,
Till lost is all her purity.

The violet's modesty moreover
I hold full cheap. The little flower
With the coquettish breezes trifles,
In secret pants for fame and power.

I doubt if Philomel appreciates
The tune she sings with pompous mien;
She overdoes it, sobs, and warbles
Methinks from nought but pure routine.

Truth from the earth is fast departing,
The days of Faith are also o'er;
The dogs still wag their tails, smell badly
And yet are faithful now no more.





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