THE lilac-time is over, <br />Laburnum's day is past, <br />The red may-blossoms cover <br />The white ones, fallen too fast. <br />And guelder-roses hang like snow, <br />Where purple flag-flowers grow. <br /> <br /> <br />And still the tulip lingers, <br />The wall-flower's red like blood <br />The ivy spreads pale fingers, <br />The rose is in the bud. <br />Good-bye, sweet lilac, and sweet may! <br />The Rose is on the way. <br /> <br /> <br />You were but heralds sent us-- <br />All April's buds, and May's-- <br />But painted missals lent us <br />That we might learn her praise, <br />Might cast down every bud that blows <br />Before our Queen, the Rose!<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-of-the-rose-2/
