A Contemplation upon Flowers
- A Contemplation upon Flowers
A Contemplation upon Flowers is a poem that was written by Henry King.
Poem
Brave flowers that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain!
You come abroad, and make a harmless show,
And to your beds of earth again.
You are not proud: you know your birth:
For your embroider'd garments are from earth.
You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever Spring:
My fate would know no Winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing.
O that I could my bed of earth but view
And smile, and look as cheerfully as you!
O teach me to see Death and not to fear,
But rather to take truce!
How often have I seen you at a bier,
And there look fresh and spruce!
You fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath
Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.
Explanation
The poem, " A Contemplation upon Flowers" is explaining the life cycle of humans. He tactfully executes his mission by comparing the life cycle to that of a flower. The word "contemplation" denotes deep thought and ponder.
In stanza 1, Henry King is comparing flowers and humans and the way they view life. It speaks of "brave flowers......."(line 1) giving human qualities to this living yet motionless organism. In stanza 1 it explains the beautiful flower coming from the soil to "make a harmless show" and the return to "to your beds of earth again". At death that is where we all go. In stanza 2, the poet contrast between humans and flower. Plants "obey" their season knowing that at autumn they will die. On the contrary, humans desire "ever spring", where they will remain young, fresh and happy. They would know no "winter", therefore they will "never die". Flowers, even when they are about to die, still try to look fresh and pretty. In stanza 3, the flowers know that they will die, and yet they accept it. The poet is requesting a lesson of "truce", to "teach him to see death and not to fear", to be in agreement and acceptance.
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