THE ROSE.
The flushing wave bloomed into wondrous flower,
And rosy light burst forth unknown till then,
When Aphrodite dawned on gods and men.
Thy birth, O Rose, was in that mystic hour.
Transcendent Rose, pride of the Paphian bower,
And sweet consoler of the thorny glen,
What virgin charms thy blush illumines when
Upon the virgin heart Love seals his power.
Fair as the lily was the Rose’s breast;
But when the generous vine upon it bled,
Swift blushes o’er its swelling beauties spread
Till every leaf the tender flame confessed,
While from thy wakened heart, O queenly Rose,
Ambrosial incense on the air arose.