When the buds began to burst, <br />Long ago, with Rose the First <br />I was walking; joyous then <br />Far above all other men, <br />Till before us up there stood <br />Britonferry's oaken wood, <br />Whispering, "Happy as thou art, <br />Happiness and thou must part." <br />Many summers have gone by <br />Since a Second Rose and I <br />(Rose from the same stem) have told <br />This and other tales of old. <br />She upon her wedding day <br />Carried home my tenderest lay: <br />From her lap I now have heard <br />Gleeful, chirping, Rose the Third. <br />Not for her this hand of mine <br />Rhyme with nuptial wreath shall twine; <br />Cold and torpid it must lie, <br />Mute the tongue, and closed the eye.<br /><br />Walter Savage Landor<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-three-roses/
