SWEET PICTURE of Life's chequer'd hour! <br />Ah, wherefore droop thy blushing head? <br />Tell me, oh tell me, hap'less flow'r, <br />Is it because thy charms are fled? <br />Come, gentle ROSE, and learn from me <br />A lesson of Philosophy. <br /> <br />Thy scented buds, LIFE'S joys disclose; <br />They strew our paths with magic sweets; <br />Where many a thorn like thine, fair ROSE, <br />Full oft the weary wand'rer meets; <br />And when he sees thy charms depart, <br />He feels thy thorn within his heart. <br /> <br />When Morn's bright torch illum'd the sky, <br />Vainly thy flaunting buds display'd <br />Enamell'd leaves of crimson die, <br />Ill-fated blossoms doom'd to fade; <br />So 'tis with BEAUTY, hapless flow'r, <br />Its lustre blooms but for an hour. <br /> <br />Come blushing ROSE, and on my breast <br />Recline thy gentle head, and die; <br />Thy scatter'd leaves shall there be press'd, <br />Bath'd with a tear from PITY'S eye; <br />There shall thy balmy sweets impart <br />An essence grateful to my heart. <br /> <br />Thus SYMPATHY, with lenient pow'r, <br />Shall bid thy fading charms bestow <br />Soft odours for life's happy hour, <br />Kind, healing balsam for its woe! <br />If such thy virtues, ROSE DIVINE! <br />OH ! MAY THY ENVIED FATE BE MINE.<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-to-the-rose/
