Lestenyt, lordynges, both elde and yinge, <br />How this rose began to sprynge; <br />Swych a rose to myn lykynge <br />In al this word ne knowe I non. <br /> <br />The aungil came fro hevene tour <br />To grete Marye with gret honour, <br />And seyde sche xuld bere the flour <br />That xulde breke the fyndes bond. <br /> <br />The flour sprong in heye Bedlem, <br />That is bothe bryht and schen: <br />The rose is Mary, hevene qwen, <br />Out of here bosum the blosme sprong. <br /> <br />The ferste braunche is ful of myht, <br />That sprong on Crystemesse nyht, <br />The sterre schon over Bedlem bryht <br />That is bothe brod and long. <br /> <br />The secunde braunche sprong to helle, <br />The fendys power doun to felle: <br />Therein myht non sowle dwelle; <br />Blyssid be the time the rose sprong! <br /> <br />The thredde braunche is good and swote, <br />It sprang to hevene, crop and rote, <br />Therein to dwellyn and ben our bote; <br />Every day it schewit in prystes hond. <br /> <br />Prey we to here with gret honour, <br />She that bar the blyssid flowr, <br />She be our helpe and our socour <br />And schyld us fro the fyndes bond.<br /><br />Anonymous Olde English<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/of-a-rose-a-lovely-rose-of-a-rose-is-al-myn-song-2/
