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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHRISTINE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: MOST QUAINTLY TOUCHING, IN HER
Last Line: "THAN YET I AM TO YOU. SO IST GOOD NIGHT."
Subject(s): DEATH; GERMANY; GRIEF; LOVE; DEAD, THE; GERMANS; SORROW; SADNESS;

@3Two strangers meeting at a festival; Two lovers whispering by an orchard
wall.@1
-- TENNYSON.

MOST quaintly touching, in her German tongue --
Haply, had he but mastered that as well
As she his English, this were not to tell: --
Touring through her dear Fatherland, the young
American first found her, as she sung
@3"Du bist mir nah' und doch so fern,"@1 while fell
Their eyes together, and the miracle
Of love and doom was wrought. Her father wrung
The lovers from each other's arms forever --
Forgive him, all forgiving souls that can!
She died that selfsame hour -- just paused to write
Her broken heart's confession thus: "I never
Was O so loving in a young gentleman
Than yet I am to you. So ist Good night."



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