THE ROSE AND THE WIND by PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON

DAWN

@3The Rose@1

WHEN, think you, comes the Wind,
The Wind that kisses me and is so kind?
Lo, how the Lily sleeps! her sleep is light;
Would I were like the Lily, pale and white!
Will the Wind come?

@3The Beech@1

Perchance for you too soon.

@3The Rose@1

If not, how could I live until the noon?
What, think you, Beech-tree, makes the Wind delay?
Why comes he not at breaking of the day?

@3The Beech@1

Hush, child, and, like the Lily, go to sleep.

@3The Rose@1

You know I cannot.

@3The Beech@1

Nay, then, do not weep.

(@3After a pause@1)

Your lover comes, be happy now, O Rose!
He softly through my bending branches goes.
Soon he shall come, and you shall feel his kiss.

@3The Rose@1

Already my flush'd heart grows faint with bliss;
Love, I have long'd for you through all the night.

@3The Wind@1

And I to kiss your petals warm and bright.

@3The Rose@1

Laugh round me, Love, and kiss me; it is well.
Nay, have no fear, the Lily will not tell.

MORNING

@3The Rose@1

'T was dawn when first you came; and now the sun
Shines brightly and the dews of dawn are done.
'T is well you take me so in your embrace;
But lay me back again into my place,
For I am worn, perhaps with bliss extreme.

@3The Wind@1

Nay, you must wake, Love, from this childish dream.

@3The Rose@1

'T is you, Love, who seem changed; your laugh is loud,
And 'neath your stormy kiss my head is bow'd.
O Love, O Wind, a space will you not spare?

@3The Wind@1

Not while your petals are so soft and fair.

@3The Rose@1

My buds are blind with leaves, they cannot see, --
O Love, O Wind, will you not pity me?

EVENING

@3The Beech@1

O Wind, a word with you before you pass;
What did you to the Rose that on the grass
Broken she lies and pale, who lov'd you so?

@3The Wind@1

Roses must live and love, and winds must blow.

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