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Poem
December 25, 1843
The Caledonian
Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont
What is this article about?
Descriptive poem praising the resilient Alpine flower (Rosa Alpina, a rhododendron) growing at over 7000 feet near perpetual snow, symbolizing beauty in desolation and a pure redeeming element in the stern human heart.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetry.
THE FLOWER OF THE ALPS.
The Alpine Flower, (Rosa Alpina,) a species of the Rhododendron, is a native of the Alps and some other high mountains, and grows above all other ligneous vegetation. It is found, on the Alps, at an elevation of over 7000 feet, and near the region of perpetual snow—a solitary flower, to adorn the ice-bound courts of the palace of the king of storms. With its root deep set in the fissures of the rocks, it stands there, upon the very outpost of vegetation—a lone sentinel—the boundary line of life—and throws out its bright, red flower, and sweet odors, upon the surrounding desolation—a blush on the cheek of death.
On Alpine cliffs, forever white
With ancient drift and snow-wreath old,
The sun pours out his floods of light,
Where all is drear, and stern, and cold.
There, never doth the violet blue.
That vesper flower, its azure show;
Nor purple bell, nor wild-rose hue,
With tipted shadows, flush the snow.
But, far below, from beetling cliffs,
The vulture spreads his sail-like wings;
And heedless, o'er unfathomed drifts,
From crag to crag, the chamois springs.
But, far above the vulture's nest,
The dauntless mountaineer hath trod,
Where life seems locked in dreamless rest,
And nature dwells alone with God.
There doth he find that wondrous flower,
Whose buds those chilling airs endure;
Its only bed, some rocky tower,
Its only food, the sunshine pure
Pale as the lily cheek of death,
It breathes a balmy fragrance there;
As if some viewless angel's breath
Were floating on the still, cold air.
'Tis ever thus: could we but soar,
And track the mind's mysterious flight,
Or the deep caverned heart explore,
Where thought lies, curtained from the sight;
There, haply, should some maze unfold
Bright tokens of its birthright power,
No human heart, so stern, so cold,
But bears some pure redeeming flower.
THE FLOWER OF THE ALPS.
The Alpine Flower, (Rosa Alpina,) a species of the Rhododendron, is a native of the Alps and some other high mountains, and grows above all other ligneous vegetation. It is found, on the Alps, at an elevation of over 7000 feet, and near the region of perpetual snow—a solitary flower, to adorn the ice-bound courts of the palace of the king of storms. With its root deep set in the fissures of the rocks, it stands there, upon the very outpost of vegetation—a lone sentinel—the boundary line of life—and throws out its bright, red flower, and sweet odors, upon the surrounding desolation—a blush on the cheek of death.
On Alpine cliffs, forever white
With ancient drift and snow-wreath old,
The sun pours out his floods of light,
Where all is drear, and stern, and cold.
There, never doth the violet blue.
That vesper flower, its azure show;
Nor purple bell, nor wild-rose hue,
With tipted shadows, flush the snow.
But, far below, from beetling cliffs,
The vulture spreads his sail-like wings;
And heedless, o'er unfathomed drifts,
From crag to crag, the chamois springs.
But, far above the vulture's nest,
The dauntless mountaineer hath trod,
Where life seems locked in dreamless rest,
And nature dwells alone with God.
There doth he find that wondrous flower,
Whose buds those chilling airs endure;
Its only bed, some rocky tower,
Its only food, the sunshine pure
Pale as the lily cheek of death,
It breathes a balmy fragrance there;
As if some viewless angel's breath
Were floating on the still, cold air.
'Tis ever thus: could we but soar,
And track the mind's mysterious flight,
Or the deep caverned heart explore,
Where thought lies, curtained from the sight;
There, haply, should some maze unfold
Bright tokens of its birthright power,
No human heart, so stern, so cold,
But bears some pure redeeming flower.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Alpine Flower
Rosa Alpina
Rhododendron
Alps Mountains
Solitary Bloom
Human Heart Redemption
Poem Details
Title
The Flower Of The Alps.
Subject
The Alpine Flower (Rosa Alpina)
Key Lines
On Alpine Cliffs, Forever White
With Ancient Drift And Snow Wreath Old,
The Sun Pours Out His Floods Of Light,
Where All Is Drear, And Stern, And Cold.
There Doth He Find That Wondrous Flower,
Whose Buds Those Chilling Airs Endure;
Its Only Bed, Some Rocky Tower,
Its Only Food, The Sunshine Pure
'Tis Ever Thus: Could We But Soar,
And Track The Mind's Mysterious Flight,
Or The Deep Caverned Heart Explore,
Where Thought Lies, Curtained From The Sight;
There, Haply, Should Some Maze Unfold
Bright Tokens Of Its Birthright Power,
No Human Heart, So Stern, So Cold,
But Bears Some Pure Redeeming Flower.