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Poem
October 7, 1823
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
A translated 17th-century Dutch poem advising young women not to scorn suitors, using metaphors of fading flowers and spring to illustrate how beauty and love diminish with time.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
From the Dutch of Jacob Westerbaen, a Poet
of the Seventeenth century; the strenuous defender of Olden Barneveldt, De Groot, and other
great, but unfortunate Statesmen.
Think not that the dear perfume
And the bloom
Of those cheeks, divinely glowing,
Ever shall remain to thee
While there be
None for whom these flowers are blowing
By the eglantine be taught
How 'tis sought
For its blooms and fragrance only :
Is not all its beauty past
When at last
On the thorn 'tis hanging lonely?
Maidens are like garden bowers
Fill'd with flowers,
Which are spring-time's choicest treasure;
While the budding leaves they bear
Flourish there
They will be a source of pleasure.
But whene'er the lovely Spring
Spreads her wing,
And the rose's charms have fleeted;
Nor those lately valued flowers,
Nor the bowers,
Shall with former praise be greeted.
While Love's beam in woman's eyes
Fondly lies
All the heart's best feelings telling,
Love will come (a welcome guest!)
And her breast
Be his own ecstatic dwelling
But when envious time takes arms
'Gainst her charms,
All her youthful graces spurning,
Love, who courted beauty's ray
Steals away,
Never thinking of returning
Maidens! who man's suit deride,
And whose pride
Scorns the hearts that bow before ye,
From my song this lesson learn:
Be not stern
To the Lovers who adore ye.
of the Seventeenth century; the strenuous defender of Olden Barneveldt, De Groot, and other
great, but unfortunate Statesmen.
Think not that the dear perfume
And the bloom
Of those cheeks, divinely glowing,
Ever shall remain to thee
While there be
None for whom these flowers are blowing
By the eglantine be taught
How 'tis sought
For its blooms and fragrance only :
Is not all its beauty past
When at last
On the thorn 'tis hanging lonely?
Maidens are like garden bowers
Fill'd with flowers,
Which are spring-time's choicest treasure;
While the budding leaves they bear
Flourish there
They will be a source of pleasure.
But whene'er the lovely Spring
Spreads her wing,
And the rose's charms have fleeted;
Nor those lately valued flowers,
Nor the bowers,
Shall with former praise be greeted.
While Love's beam in woman's eyes
Fondly lies
All the heart's best feelings telling,
Love will come (a welcome guest!)
And her breast
Be his own ecstatic dwelling
But when envious time takes arms
'Gainst her charms,
All her youthful graces spurning,
Love, who courted beauty's ray
Steals away,
Never thinking of returning
Maidens! who man's suit deride,
And whose pride
Scorns the hearts that bow before ye,
From my song this lesson learn:
Be not stern
To the Lovers who adore ye.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Moral Virtue
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Maiden Advice
Fleeting Beauty
Flower Metaphor
Love Warning
Time Decay
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Dutch Of Jacob Westerbaen, A Poet Of The Seventeenth Century; The Strenuous Defender Of Olden Barneveldt, De Groot, And Other Great, But Unfortunate Statesmen.
Poem Details
Author
From The Dutch Of Jacob Westerbaen, A Poet Of The Seventeenth Century; The Strenuous Defender Of Olden Barneveldt, De Groot, And Other Great, But Unfortunate Statesmen.
Subject
Lesson To Maidens On Not Scorning Lovers Due To Fleeting Beauty
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Ababcc Scheme
Key Lines
Think Not That The Dear Perfume And The Bloom Of Those Cheeks, Divinely Glowing, Ever Shall Remain To Thee While There Be None For Whom These Flowers Are Blowing
Maidens Are Like Garden Bowers Fill'd With Flowers, Which Are Spring Time's Choicest Treasure;
But Whene'er The Lovely Spring Spreads Her Wing, And The Rose's Charms Have Fleeted;
Maidens! Who Man's Suit Deride, And Whose Pride Scorns The Hearts That Bow Before Ye, From My Song This Lesson Learn: Be Not Stern To The Lovers Who Adore Ye.