Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WHITE FLOWER by HEINRICH HEINE

First Line: IN FATHER'S GARDEN THERE SILENTLY GROWS
Last Line: NOW FILLS MY WOUNDED BREAST.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; LOVE;

IN father's garden there silently grows
A flow'ret mournful and pale;
The spring-time returns, the winter's frost goes,
Pale flow'ret remaineth as pale.
The poor pale flower looks still
Like a young bride that's ill.

Pale flow'ret gently saith to me --
"Dear brother, pluck me, I pray!"
I answer pale flow'ret -- "That must not be,
"I never will take thee away.
"I seek with anxious care
"A purple flow'ret fair."

Pale flow'ret saith -- "Seek here, seek there,
"Seek e'en till the day of thy death,
"But still that purple flow'ret fair
"Thou'lt seek in vain," she saith.
"But, prythee, pluck me now,
I am as ill as thou."

Thus whispers pale flow'ret, beseeching me sore;
I tremblingly pluck her, and lo!
I find my heart suddenly bleeding no more,
Mine inward eye brightly doth glow.
Mute angel-rapture blest
Now fills my wounded breast.



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