Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE YOUNG CATS' CLUB FOR POETRY-MUSIC, by HEINRICH HEINE Poet's Biography First Line: The philharmonic young cats' club Last Line: And simper'd and look'd the wiser. Subject(s): Art & Artists; Life; Music & Musicians; Poetry & Poets; Winter | ||||||||
THE philharmonic young cats' club Upon the roof was collected To-night, but not for sensual joys, No wrong could there be detected. No summer night's wedding dream there was dreamt, No song of love did they utter In the winter season, in frost and snow, For frozen was every gutter. A newborn spirit hath recently Come over the whole cat-nation, But chiefly the young, and the young cat feels More earnest with inspiration. The frivolous generation of old Is extinct, and a newborn yearning, A pussy-springtime of poetry In art and in life they're learning. The philharmonic young cats' club Is now returning to artless And primitive music, and naivete, From modern fashions all heartless. It seeks in music for poetry, Roulades with the quavers omitted; It seeks for poetry, music-void, For voice and instrument fitted. It seeks for genius's sovereign sway, Which often bungles truly, Yet oft in art unconsciously Attains the highest stage duly. It honours the genius which prefers Dame Nature to keep at a distance, And will not show off its learning, -- in fact Its learning not having existence. This is the programme of our cat club, And with these intentions elated, It holds its first winter concert to-night On the roof, as before I have stated. Yet sad was the execution, alas! Of this great idea so splendid; I'm sorry, my dear friend Berlioz, That by thee it wasn't attended. It was a charivari, as though With brandy elated greatly, Three dozen pipers struck up the tune That the poor cow died of lately. It was an utter medley, as though In Noah's ark were beginning The whole of the beasts in unison The Deluge to tell of in singing, O what a croaking, snarling, and noise! O what a mewing and yelling! And even the chimneys all join'd in, The wonderful chorus swelling. And loudest of all was heard a voice Which sounded languid and shrieking As Sontag's voice became at the last, When utterly broken and squeaking. The whimsical concert! Methinks that they A grand Te Deum were chanting, To honour the triumph o'er reason obtain'd By commonest frenzy and canting. Perchance moreover the young cats' club The opera grand were essaying That the greatest pianist of Hungary Composed for Charenton's playing. It was not till the break of day That an end was put to the party; A cook was in consequence brought to bed Who before had seem'd well and hearty. The lying-in woman lost her wits, Her memory, too, was affected, And who was the father of her child No longer she recollected. Say, was it Peter? Say, was it Paul? Say who is the father, Eliza! "O Liszt, thou heavenly cat!" she said, And simper'd and look'd the wiser. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOOKING EAST IN THE WINTER by JOHN HOLLANDER WINTER DISTANCES by FANNY HOWE WINTER FORECAST by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN AT WINTER'S EDGE by JUDY JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 34 by JAMES JOYCE |
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