University of Virginia Library

II. Upon the Rose.

Wou'd Jove a queen of flow'rs decree,
The rose the queen of flow'rs shou'd be.
The blush of meads! the pride of bow'rs!
The grace of plants! the eye of flow'rs.
The gods themselves her beauties move.
Fav'rite of Venus! breath of love!
What flow'r is half so charming found,
As when, with full-blown tresses crown'd,
The rose in all her bloom prevails,
And smiles on Zephyr's gentle gales?