WHILE roses are so red, While lilies are so white, Shall a woman exalt her face Because it gives delight? She's not so sweet as a rose, A lily's straighter than she, And if she were as red or white She'd be but one of three. Whether she flush in love's summer Or in its winter grow pale, Whether she flaunt her beauty Or hide it away in a veil, Be she red or white And stand she erect or bowed, Time will win the race he runs with her, And hide her away in a shroud. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE SNOW-SHOWER by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 19. TO AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN UNDER MY WINDOW by THOMAS WESTWOOD POPULAR BALLAD: NEVER FORGET YOUR PARENTS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TO ONE WHO ASKS by MARY REYNOLDS ALDIS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 39. AL-HAFIZ by EDWIN ARNOLD |