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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONGS OF ROSES: 3. THE ROSE OF SORROW by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE

First Line: THE ROYAL ROSE OUR SOVEREIGN BARD BEWITCHES
Last Line: FOR SORROW'S ROSE IS WHITE.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES;

THE royal rose our sovereign bard bewitches;
Three roses crown his lyre;
The red is Conquest; and the yellow, Riches;
The damask rose, Desire.

But o'er the airs with which his strings are ringing,
One rose hangs out of sight;
Of the white rose he never dreams of singing, --
For Sorrow's rose is white.



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