Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SONG OF REPENTANCE, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SONG OF REPENTANCE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sir ulrich rides in the forest so green
Last Line: "he'll repeat it sentence by sentence."
Subject(s): Grief; Repentance; Singing & Singers; Sorrow; Sadness; Penitence; Songs


SIR ULRICH rides in the forest so green,
The leaves with joy seem laden;
He sees, the trees' thick branches between,
The form of a beauteous maiden.

The youth then said: "Well know I thee,
"So blooming and glowing thy face is;
"Alluringly ever encircles it me,
"In deserts or crowded places.

"Those lips, by fresh loveliness ever stirr'd,
"Appear a pair of roses;
"Yet many a hateful bitter word
"That roguish mouth discloses.

"A pretty rosebush a mouth like this
"Resembles very closely,
"Where cunning poisonous serpents hiss
"Amid the leaves morosely.

"Within those beauteous cheeks there lies
"A sweet and beauteous dimple;
"That is the grave where I fell by surprise.
"Lured on by a yearning simple.

"There see I the beauteous locks of hair,
"That once so lovingly pleased me;
"That is the net so wondrous fair
"Wherewith the Evil One seized me.

"And that blue eye, that so sweetly fell,
"As clear as the ocean even,
"It proved to be the portal of hell,
"Though I thought it the gateway of heaven."

In the wood still farther Sir Ulrich doth ride,
The leaves make a rustling dreary,
A second figure afar he spied,
That seem'd so sad and weary.

The youth then said: "O mother dear,
"Who lov'dst me to distraction,
"But to whom in life I caused many a tear,
"By evil word and action!

"O would that to dry thine eyes could avail
"My sorrow so fiercely glowing!
"O could I but redden thy cheeks so pale
"With the blood from my own heart flowing!"

And farther rides Sir Ulrich there,
The night o'er the forest is falling;
Many singular voices fill the air,
The evening breezes are calling.

The youth then hears his sorrowing words
Full often near him ringing;
'Tis the notes of the mocking forest birds
All twittering loudly and singing:

"Sir Ulrich sings a pretty song,
"We call it the song of repentance;
"And when he has reach'd the end of his song,
"He'll repeat it sentence by sentence."





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