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And over the pond are sailing Two swans all white as snow…

“And over the pond are sailing Two swans all white as snow; Sweet voices mysteriously wailing Pierce through me as onward they go. They sail along, and a ringing Sweet melody rises on high; And when the swans begin singing, They presently must die.” quote by Heinrich Heine
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“And over the pond are sailing Two swans all white as snow; Sweet voices mysteriously wailing Pierce through me as onward they go. They sail along, and a ringing Sweet melody rises on high; And when the swans begin singing, They presently must die.”

Heinrich Heine

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem juxtaposes beautiful swans with an ominous sense of mortality, suggesting that even the most graceful moments contain hidden sorrow.

In simple terms: Beauty can mask impending loss.

Key Takeaway

Cherish beauty while it lasts.

Themes

beauty mortality transience

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

poetic lyaphic

When to use this quote

  • watching nature
  • appreciating art
  • contemplating life
  • accepting death

Key Concepts

symbolism duality impermanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the swan symbolize for you?
  • How do you reconcile beauty with inevitable loss?
A Different Perspective

The poem’s vague origin limits deeper historical context.

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