Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EXTRACT FROM A LETTER, by HEINRICH HEINE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What matter all my looks to thee?
Last Line: I mean by night, I mean by night!
Subject(s): Eyes; Letters; Night; Sun; Bedtime


(The Sun speaks.)

WHAT matter all my looks to thee?
It is the well-known right of the sun
To shed down his rays on ev'ry one;
I beam because 'tis proper for me.

What matter all my looks to thee?
Thy duties bear in mind, poor elf;
Quick, marry, and get a son to thyself,
And so a German worthy be!

I beam because 'tis proper for me.
I wander up and down in the sky,
From mere ennui I peep from on high
What matter all my looks to thee?

(The Poet speaks.)

It is in truth my special merit
That I can bear thy radiant light,
Pledge of an endless youthful spirit,
Thou dazzling beauty, blest and bright!

But now mine eyes are growing weary,
On my poor eyelids fast are falling,
Like a black covering the dreary
Dark shades of night with gloom appalling.

(Chorus of Monkeys.)

We monkeys, we monkeys,
Like impudent flunkies,
Stare at the sun,
Who can't prevent its being done.

(Chorus of Frogs.)

The water is better,
But also much wetter
Than 'tis in the air,
And merrily there
We love to gaze
On the sun's bright rays.

(Chorus of Moles.)

How foolish people are to chatter
Of beams and sunny rays bewitching!
With us, they but produce an itching,
We scratch it and so end the matter.

(A Glow-worm speaks.)

How boastingly the sun displays
His very fleeting daily rays!
But I'm not so immodest quite,
And yet I'm an important light, --
I mean by night, I mean by night!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net