Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SUN AND THE BROOK by FRIEDRICH RUCKERT

First Line: THE SUN HE SPOKE
Last Line: "REFLECTING THEE FOREVER."

The Sun he spoke
To the Meadow-Brook,
And said, "I sorely blame you;
Through every nook
The wild-flower folk
You hunt, as naught could shame you.
What but the light
Makes them so bright -
The light from me they borrow?
Yet me you slight
To get a sight
At them, and I must sorrow!
Ah! pity take
On me, and make
Your smooth breast stiller, clearer;
And as I wake
In the blue sky-lake,
Be thou, O Brook, my mirror!"

The Brook flowed on
And said anon: --
"Good Sun, it should not grieve you
That as I run
I gaze upon
The motley flowers, and leave you.
You are so great
In your heavenly state
And they so unpretending.
On you they wait
And only get
The graces of your lending.
But when the sea
Receiveth me
From them I must me sever.
I then shall be
A glass to thee,
Reflecting thee forever."




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