Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LYRICAL INTERLUDE: 30 by HEINRICH HEINE

First Line: THE EARTH HAD LONG BEEN AVARICIOUS
Last Line: "THEY ""MADAM"" ENTITLE, WITH CHILLING FORMALITY."
Subject(s): BELLS; BIRDS; EARTH; LAUGHTER; MAY (MONTH); WORLD;

THE earth had long been avaricious,
But May, when she came, gave with great prodigality,
And all things now smile with rapture delicious,
But I for laughter have no partiality.

The blue bells are ringing, their beauty displaying,
The birds, as in fables, talk sentimentality;
I take no pleasure in all they are saying,
And I am quite wretched in sober reality.

All men I detest, and now cannot meet one,
Not even my friend, with the least cordiality,
And this all because my amiable sweet one
They "madam" entitle, with chilling formality.



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