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The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti

A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump

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The Rose.

Gentle, gentle river
Hurrying along
With a sparkle ever,
And a murmured song,
Pause in thine onward motion,
Fast flowing toward the ocean,

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And give this rose from me
To haughty Coralie.
Tell her that love's symbol,
The deep blushing rose,
Doth in all resemble
That it would disclose.
Untended, shortly thriving
There'll soon be no reviving;
But nursed with kindliness
'T will cheer life's wilderness.