Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VISIONS: 4. A ROSE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643)

Poet Analysis

First Line: A ROSE, AS FAIR AS EVER SAW THE NORTH
Last Line: THE FAIREST BLOSSOM OF THE GARDEN DIES.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES;

A ROSE, as fair as ever saw the North,
Grew in a little garden all alone;
A sweeter flower did Nature ne'er put forth,
Nor fairer garden yet was never known:
The maidens danced about it morn and noon,
And learned bards of it their ditties made;
The nimble fairies by the pale-faced moon
Water'd the root and kiss'd her pretty shade.
But well-a-day! -- the gardener careless grew;
The maids and fairies both were kept away,
And in a drought the caterpillars threw
Themselves upon the bud and every spray.
God shield the stock! If heaven send no supplies,
The fairest blossom of the garden dies.



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