THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 39 



of Provence, the rose of a hundred 

 leaves, with hooking thorns, whose 

 blossoms were much esteemed for rose 

 cakes and conserves; and lastly the 

 frail yellow brier with thorns like moss 

 and fiat, semi-double flowers. 



In times when Gothic art followed 

 in stone the teachings of the trees, the 

 rose was wrought to be a window in 

 the vast cathedral walls and called the 

 rose of Heaven, whose vitreous petals 

 symbolized blessed souls. 



Who is there but can conjure up 

 tender memories with a rose? Per- 

 haps it may recall a wild rose hedge, 

 smothered by elder flowers, where chil- 

 dren came in recess time, to tie posies 

 with the pliant grass and play at ring- 

 a-rosy in the fields. Perhaps it may 

 bring back a cottage home in a far- 

 distant land, where the bees flew about 

 the hives all day, and white jasmine 



