Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, APPENDIX TO 'LAZARUS': 5, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

APPENDIX TO 'LAZARUS': 5, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw them laughing, smiling gladly
Last Line: The bitterness of this last hour.
Subject(s): Corpses; Laughter; Tears; Cadavers


I SAW them laughing, smiling gladly, --
I saw them ruin'd utterly;
I heard them weeping, dying sadly, --
And yet I utter'd not a sigh.

Each corpse I as a mourner follow'd,
Yea, to the churchyard follow'd I,
And then -- with appetite I swallow'd,
My noontide meal, I'll not deny.

I now recall that band long perish'd,
With feelings sadden'd and oppress'd:
Like sudden glowing love once cherish'd
They strangely storm within my breast.

And most 'tis Juliet's tears so burning
That in my memory spring to light;
My sadness turns to ceaseless yearning,
I call upon her day and night.

In feverish dreams, with soft emotion
The faded flower oft comes again;
Methinks a posthumous devotion
To my love's glow it offers then.

O gentle phantom, clasp me often
With strong and ever stronger power;
Unto my lips press thine, and soften
The bitterness of this last hour.





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