 | Cuckoo songs |  |
83
The Master of the Roses
The Master of the roses
Lies dead this evenfall.
The roses, scarlet, gold, and pied,
Are clustering by the wall.
Lies dead this evenfall.
The roses, scarlet, gold, and pied,
Are clustering by the wall.
The Master of the roses
Was old and bent and grey;
And but one human heart is left
To miss him every day.
Was old and bent and grey;
And but one human heart is left
To miss him every day.
But the dejected roses,
Since June hath brought them here,
Have sorely missed his ancient form,
His withered face and sere.
Since June hath brought them here,
Have sorely missed his ancient form,
His withered face and sere.
84
For who will save the roses
When wind and dust will blow?
And who will guard in winter
Their trees from frost and snow?
When wind and dust will blow?
And who will guard in winter
Their trees from frost and snow?
And who will cool the roses
With showers of gentle rain?
The roses miss their Master,
They whisper and complain.
With showers of gentle rain?
The roses miss their Master,
They whisper and complain.
Soft cheek to cheek, the roses
Wonder and muse and sigh,
‘Where is he gone, sweet sister?
We need him, you and I.’
Wonder and muse and sigh,
‘Where is he gone, sweet sister?
We need him, you and I.’
And while they grieve, the roses,
And while one woman grieves,
The roses' Master, he is rich
Under the mould and leaves.
And while one woman grieves,
The roses' Master, he is rich
Under the mould and leaves.
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