 | Poems by Three Friends |  |
104
THE TULIP AND THE ROSE.
ADDRESSED TO E---.
Sweet blooms the mossy rose,
In Spring's unruffled morning,
Through drops of starlight dew it glows,
The brow of day adorning.
In Spring's unruffled morning,
Through drops of starlight dew it glows,
The brow of day adorning.
But should we prize its bloom,
'Reft of its sweetest treasure?
No! 'tis the breath of its perfume,
That steeps each sense in pleasure.
'Reft of its sweetest treasure?
No! 'tis the breath of its perfume,
That steeps each sense in pleasure.
The flaunting tulip why
Does Beauty not embosom?
Though rich and gaudy is its dye,
No sweets are in its blossom.
Does Beauty not embosom?
Though rich and gaudy is its dye,
No sweets are in its blossom.
105
This may its hues awhile
From the bright sunbeam borrow,
But soon is past the fickle smile,
It withers ere the morrow.
From the bright sunbeam borrow,
But soon is past the fickle smile,
It withers ere the morrow.
The crimson flower of Spring,
Celestial sunbeams nourish,
And richer sweets are opening,
When it has ceased to flourish.
Celestial sunbeams nourish,
And richer sweets are opening,
When it has ceased to flourish.
Not in the external mien,
The charm of life is planted;
It is the virtues mild within,
That hold the breast enchanted.
The charm of life is planted;
It is the virtues mild within,
That hold the breast enchanted.
In thee, fair plant, we find
A bloom for ever vernal,—
The higher graces of the mind,
Unfading and eternal.
A bloom for ever vernal,—
The higher graces of the mind,
Unfading and eternal.
106
As on Life's varying sea,
Thy little bark is driven;
Untroubled may the waters be!
Unclouded be thy heaven!
Thy little bark is driven;
Untroubled may the waters be!
Unclouded be thy heaven!
| Poems by Three Friends | |