If one should bring a rose that had been fair, And very fragrant, and surpassing sweet, Before it lost its beauty in the heat Of crowded ball-rooms or the gas-light's glare, And beg of me to keep it in my hair Or on my breast through all the coming hours, Casting aside all fresher, brighter flowers Which other hands might offer me to wear, Would it not seem presumptuous? Yet you bring The remnant of a heart that long ago Burned all its fire to ashes; and you say, "Keep this and cast all other hearts away." I stooped and blew, and could not raise a glow; Square in your face I throw your offering. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOUSE-TOP; A NIGHT PIECE by HERMAN MELVILLE THE CONQUERED BANNER by ABRAM JOSEPH RYAN DEFIANT OF DEATH by EVA K. ANGLESBURG THE HOME-COMING by KATHARINE LEE BATES SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 16 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |