Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROMANCERO: BOOK 2. LAMENTATIONS: LAZARUS. 2. RETROSPECT, by HEINRICH HEINE Poet's Biography First Line: I've snuff'd at every smell that has birth Last Line: Once more we may hope to meet with each other. Subject(s): Earth; Farewell; Fortune; Graves; World; Parting; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
I'VE snuff d at every smell that has birth In this delightful kitchen of earth; Each thing that the world contains that's delicious Have I enjoy'd like a hero ambitious; I've drunk my coffee, and eaten with zest, And many a charming doll caress'd, Worn silken waistcoats and handsome coats, And had my pockets well lined with notes; The high horse, like Gellert the poet, I rode, Had house and castle all a-la-mode. On fortune's verdant meadow I lay, While on me the sun gleam'd brightly all day, A wreath of laurel my brow embraced, And through my brain sweet visions raced, Sweet visions of endless May and flowers -- How happily fleeted then the hours, So dim and hazy, so full of repose, -- My mouth was fill'd with whatever I chose And angels came, and out of their pockets The champagne bottles flew like rockets, -- Bright visions were these, -- soap-bubbles, alas! They burst, -- and I lie on the humid grass; My limbs are now rheumatic and lame, My inmost spirit is fill'd with shame. Alas! each pleasure and gratification I bought at the price of bitter vexation; I'm steep'd in bitterness up to the chin, The bugs have terribly bitten my skin; Oppress'd by care and gloomy sorrow I needs must lie, and I needs must borrow From wealthy rascals, and slatterns vile, I even believe that I begg'd for a while. And now I would finish this wearisome race, And find in the grave a resting-place. Farewell! In yon heavens, good Christian brother, Once more we may hope to meet with each other. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL |
|