# Two Songs of Heine explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## What happens

The chapter presents two poems by Heine: 'Ein Fichtenbaum,' which contrasts a lonely fir-tree on a barren northern height dreaming of a palm-tree in a golden southern land, and 'Du Bist Wie Eine Blume,' a tender address to a pure and innocent beloved, expressing sorrow and a prayer for her lasting purity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Spiritual Peace and Rest

The fir-tree sleeps under winter's white robes, dreaming of a distant palm-tree, evoking a longing for spiritual rest and union.

### Love and Sacrifice

The second poem expresses a tender, protective love, with the speaker's sorrow and prayer for the beloved's enduring purity.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker in both poems, observing the fir-tree's dream and addressing the beloved.

## Key lines

> A fir-tree standeth lonely On a barren northern height, Asleep, while winter covers His rest with robes of white.

A solitary fir tree stands on a cold, desolate northern peak, sleeping as winter blankets it in snow.

_Opens the first poem with an image of isolation and dormant rest._

> In dreams, he sees a palm-tree In the golden morning-land; She droops alone and silent In burning wastes of sand.

The fir dreams of a palm tree in a warm, sunlit eastern land, where it stands alone and silent in the hot desert.

_Contrasts the cold north with a warm, exotic south, highlighting unfulfilled longing._

> Fair art thou as a flower And innocent and shy: I look on thee and sorrow; I grieve, I know not why.

You are as beautiful as a flower, pure and modest; when I see you, I feel sadness, though I cannot explain why.

_Introduces the second poem's theme of inexplicable sorrow in the presence of innocence._

> I long to lay, in blessing, My hand upon thy brow, And pray that God may keep thee As fair and pure as now.

I wish to place my hand on your forehead in a blessing and ask God to preserve your beauty and innocence forever.

_Expresses a protective, prayerful wish for the beloved's lasting purity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/two-songs-of-heine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters