Flora, the Lily of the West. G Major
The narrative centers on a speaker who arrives in England seeking enjoyment and encounters a captivating young woman named Flora. Described as exceptionally beautiful, with striking features and luxurious attire, she captures the speaker's heart. The speaker expresses admiration for her beauty, comparing her to mythological figures and emphasizing her allure. Despite a brief courtship filled with hope, Flora ultimately turns her affections away from the speaker, leading to his emotional turmoil. He feels robbed of his freedom and peace, as her rejection leaves him in despair. The speaker's longing for Flora persists, haunting him wherever he goes, marking him as an outcast. The work explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of unrequited affection, encapsulating the speaker's deep sorrow and sense of longing for the unattainable Flora.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1890 · Genre: Ballad, Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 254 words
First lines
C. J. S. [Music: in G Major]
1. 'Twas when I came to England, some pleasure 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. G Major is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Ballad, Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Folk Poetry
- Length: 254 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Flora, the Lily of the West. G Major by Sabine Baring-Gould
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Flora, the Lily of the West. G Major?
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- Where does Ballad first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Ballad — The poem's narrative style and focus on a romantic story align it closely with the ballad genre.
- Romantic Poetry — The themes of love, longing, and loss are central to the poem, characteristic of romantic poetry.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal expression of emotions and feelings in the poem fits the lyric poetry genre.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story with a clear plot and characters, which is a hallmark of narrative poetry.
Tags
Flora · Lily of the West · Sabine Baring-Gould · poetry · romance · heartbreak · England · damsel · love · loss · music · G Major