Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
November 8, 1822
The Alexandria Herald
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem contemplating the poignant beauty of pale autumn flowers as emblems of transience, last cherished moments with loved ones, and the approach of death and eternal closure.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
AUTUMN FLOWERS.
These few pale autumn flowers,
How beautiful they are!
Than all that went before,
Than all the summer store,
How lovelier far!
And why? they are the last!
The last, the last, the last!
Oh! by that little word,
How many thoughts are stirred
That whisper of the past.
Pale flowers! pale perishing flowers!
Ye are of precious things;
Types of those bitter moments,
That flit like life's enjoyments,
On rapid, rapid wings.
Last hours with parting dear ones,
Time, the fastest speeds:
Last hours in silence shed,
Last words half uttered,
Last looks of dying friends.
Who would not aim compress,
A life unto a day!
The last hours spent with one
Who ere the morrow's sun
Must leave us for an age.
Oh! precious, precious moments!
Pale flowers, ye are types of those
The saddest, sweetest, dearest,
Because like those the nearest,
To an eternal close!
Pale flowers; pale perishing flowers,
I woo your gentle breath,
(I leave the summer rose
For blither, gayer brows,)
Ye tell of change and death.
These few pale autumn flowers,
How beautiful they are!
Than all that went before,
Than all the summer store,
How lovelier far!
And why? they are the last!
The last, the last, the last!
Oh! by that little word,
How many thoughts are stirred
That whisper of the past.
Pale flowers! pale perishing flowers!
Ye are of precious things;
Types of those bitter moments,
That flit like life's enjoyments,
On rapid, rapid wings.
Last hours with parting dear ones,
Time, the fastest speeds:
Last hours in silence shed,
Last words half uttered,
Last looks of dying friends.
Who would not aim compress,
A life unto a day!
The last hours spent with one
Who ere the morrow's sun
Must leave us for an age.
Oh! precious, precious moments!
Pale flowers, ye are types of those
The saddest, sweetest, dearest,
Because like those the nearest,
To an eternal close!
Pale flowers; pale perishing flowers,
I woo your gentle breath,
(I leave the summer rose
For blither, gayer brows,)
Ye tell of change and death.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Autumn Flowers
Pale Flowers
Transience
Last Moments
Death
Parting
Change
Poem Details
Title
Autumn Flowers.
Key Lines
These Few Pale Autumn Flowers,
How Beautiful They Are!
Than All That Went Before,
Than All The Summer Store,
How Lovelier Far!
Pale Flowers! Pale Perishing Flowers!
Ye Are Of Precious Things;
Types Of Those Bitter Moments,
That Flit Like Life's Enjoyments,
On Rapid, Rapid Wings.
Oh! Precious, Precious Moments!
Pale Flowers, Ye Are Types Of Those
The Saddest, Sweetest, Dearest,
Because Like Those The Nearest,
To An Eternal Close!