Flora, the Lily of the West. D Minor
The narrative follows a speaker who arrives in England seeking enjoyment and encounters a captivating young woman named Flora. Her beauty, characterized by rosy cheeks, shining eyes, and luxurious attire, captivates him deeply. The speaker describes Flora as surpassing even Venus in her allure, emphasizing her enchanting presence and the wealth reflected in her dress. Initially, the speaker courts Flora for two weeks, hoping to win her affection. However, she ultimately turns against him, leading to his emotional turmoil. He feels robbed of his freedom and peace, expressing a sense of loss and despair over the relationship's deterioration. Despite his attempts to move on, the speaker remains haunted by memories of Flora. He acknowledges that no matter where he goes, thoughts of her linger, leaving him in a state of perpetual sadness and isolation. The work encapsulates themes of love, loss, and longing, illustrating the profound impact of a fleeting romance on the speaker's life.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1895 · Genre: Ballad, Romance, Lyric Poetry · 255 words
First lines
C. J. S. [Music: in D minor]
1. 'Twas when I came to England, some pleasures for to find, There I espied a damsel most pleasing to my mind; Her rosy cheeks and shining eyes as arrows pierced my breast, Her name was lovely Flora, the Lily of the West.
2. Her golden hair in ringlets hung, her dress was spangled o'er; She'd rings on every finger, brought from a foreign shore; 'Twould ruin kings and princes, so richly was she dress'd, She far excelleth Venus, this Lily of the West.
3. I courted her a fortnight, in hopes her love to gain, But soon she turn'd against me, which caused all my pain. She robb'd me of my freedom, she robb'd me of my rest, I roam, forsook of Flora, the Lily of the West.
What this Textopian page supports
Flora, the Lily of the West. D Minor is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Ballad, Romance, Lyric Poetry, Folk Music, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 255 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Flora, the Lily of the West. D Minor by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Flora, the Lily of the West. D Minor?
- How does this poem by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Ballad first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Flora The Lily Of The West G Major by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Bonny Bird by Sabine Baring Gould
- A Maiden Sat A Weeping by Sabine Baring Gould
- A Ship Came Sailing by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Green Bushes by Sabine Baring Gould
- Song by Sara Teasdale
Genres
- Ballad — The poem's narrative style and focus on a romantic story align it closely with the ballad genre.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and longing for the character Flora.
- Lyric Poetry — The emotional expression and personal reflection in the poem are characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Folk Music — The musical notation and traditional storytelling elements suggest a connection to folk music.
Tags
Flora · Lily of the West · D Minor · Sabine Baring-Gould · romance · heartbreak · longing · beauty · damsel · courtship · loss · freedom