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Mary Darby Robinson - Stanzas to the Rose
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SWEET PICTURE of Life`s chequer`d hour!
  Ah, wherefore droop thy blushing head?
Tell me, oh tell me, hap`less flow`r,
  Is it because thy charms are fled? 
Come, gentle ROSE, and learn from me 
A lesson of Philosophy. 

Thy scented buds, LIFE`S joys disclose;
  They strew our paths with magic sweets;
Where many a thorn like thine, fair ROSE,
  Full oft the weary wand`rer meets; 
And when he sees thy charms depart, 
He feels thy thorn within his heart. 

When Morn`s bright torch illum`d the sky,
  Vainly thy flaunting buds display`d
Enamell`d leaves of crimson die,
  Ill-fated blossoms doom`d to fade; 
So `tis with BEAUTY, hapless flow`r, 
Its lustre blooms but for an hour. 

Come blushing ROSE, and on my breast
  Recline thy gentle head, and die;
Thy scatter`d leaves shall there be press`d,
  Bath`d with a tear from PITY`S eye; 
There shall thy balmy sweets impart 
An essence grateful to my heart. 

Thus SYMPATHY, with lenient pow`r,
  Shall bid thy fading charms bestow
Soft odours for life`s happy hour,
  Kind, healing balsam for its woe! 
If such thy virtues, ROSE DIVINE! 
OH ! MAY THY ENVIED FATE BE MINE.
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