Four sisters sitting in one house, <br />I said, these roses on a stem <br />With bosoms bare. But wayfaring <br />I went and ravished one of them. <br /> <br /> <br />So one was taken. But the three, <br />They spread their petals just the same, <br />They turned no decent pale for grief, <br />They drew no fragrance back for shame. <br /> <br /> <br />The canker is on roses too! <br />I cried, and lifted up the rod <br />And scourged them bleeding to the ground. <br />All, all are sinners unto God.<br /><br />John Crowe Ransom<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-four-roses/
