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Poem
November 2, 1824
Rhode Island American
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A translation from Dutch poet Bilderdyk's 'The Roses,' using the blooming and withering of roses as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human life, joy, beauty, and strength.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MISCELLANY.
THE ROSES.
From the Dutch of Bilderdyk, in whose language the word is Roos.
I saw them once blowing
While morning was glowing,
But now are their wither'd leaves strew'd o'er the ground
For tempest to play on,
For cold worms to prey on,
The shame of the garden that triumphs around.
Their buds which then flourish'd
With dew drops were nourish'd,
Which turn'd into pearls as they fell from on high;
Their hues are all banish'd,
Their fragrance all vanish'd,
Ere evening a shadow has cast from the sky
I saw, too, whole races
Of glories and graces
Thus open and blossom, but quickly decay ;
And smiling and gladness,
In sorrow and sadness,
Ere life reach'd its twilight fade dimly away
Joy's light-hearted dances,
And melody's glances,
Are days of a moment—are dying when born;
And pleasure's best dower
Is nought but a flower,
A vanishing dew drop—a gem of the morn.
The bright eye is clouded,
Its brilliancy shrouded,
Our strength disappears, we are helpless and lone;
No reason avails us,
And intellect fails us ;
Life's spirit is wasted, and darkness comes on.
THE ROSES.
From the Dutch of Bilderdyk, in whose language the word is Roos.
I saw them once blowing
While morning was glowing,
But now are their wither'd leaves strew'd o'er the ground
For tempest to play on,
For cold worms to prey on,
The shame of the garden that triumphs around.
Their buds which then flourish'd
With dew drops were nourish'd,
Which turn'd into pearls as they fell from on high;
Their hues are all banish'd,
Their fragrance all vanish'd,
Ere evening a shadow has cast from the sky
I saw, too, whole races
Of glories and graces
Thus open and blossom, but quickly decay ;
And smiling and gladness,
In sorrow and sadness,
Ere life reach'd its twilight fade dimly away
Joy's light-hearted dances,
And melody's glances,
Are days of a moment—are dying when born;
And pleasure's best dower
Is nought but a flower,
A vanishing dew drop—a gem of the morn.
The bright eye is clouded,
Its brilliancy shrouded,
Our strength disappears, we are helpless and lone;
No reason avails us,
And intellect fails us ;
Life's spirit is wasted, and darkness comes on.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Pastoral
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Roses
Transience
Life Decay
Fading Joy
Human Mortality
Bilderdyk Translation
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Dutch Of Bilderdyk
Poem Details
Title
The Roses.
Author
From The Dutch Of Bilderdyk
Key Lines
I Saw Them Once Blowing While Morning Was Glowing, But Now Are Their Wither'd Leaves Strew'd O'er The Ground
Their Buds Which Then Flourish'd With Dew Drops Were Nourish'd, Which Turn'd Into Pearls As They Fell From On High;
And Smiling And Gladness, In Sorrow And Sadness, Ere Life Reach'd Its Twilight Fade Dimly Away
Joy's Light Hearted Dances, And Melody's Glances, Are Days Of A Moment—Are Dying When Born;
The Bright Eye Is Clouded, Its Brilliancy Shrouded, Our Strength Disappears, We Are Helpless And Lone;