University of Virginia Library


30

ROSA SPINOSA

Seven sad swords had Mary's heart,
Seven sad wounds to ache and smart;
That young rose, her Baby, blowing,
Put forth thorns for her undoing:
Thorns to pierce the milky breast
Where He grew and took His rest.
O my rose of joy and grief,
Set with thorns in stem and leaf,
As her heart was piercèd thorough,
So my heart with love and sorrow.
Little rose of thorns, come close
To the heart you stab so, Rose!