ROSE-BUSH. 319 



So universally as the Rose has been celebrated in full 

 blown beauty, few have done justice to its infant love- 

 liness. 



" Of the rose full lipped and warm, 

 Round about whose riper form 

 Her slender virgin train are seen 

 In their close fit caps of green." 



Descent of Liberty. 



" And they that set at ease 



The sheath-enfolded fans of rosy bushes, 

 Ready against their blushes." 



Nymphs. 



These two last lines seem to bring the opening leaves 

 of the Rose-bush immediately before our eyes. 



' Ah ! see the virgin rose, how sweetly she 

 Doth first peep forth with bashful modesty. 

 That fairer seems^ the less ye see her may ; 

 Lo ! see soon after, how more bold and free 

 Her bared bosom she doth broad display ; 

 Lo ! see soon after, how she fades and falls away." 



Spenser. 



Perhaps the most beautiful season of the Rose is when 

 partly blown ; then too she still promises us a continuance 

 of delight ; but when full-blown, she inspires us with the 

 fear of losing her. The following lines refer to a Rose 

 plucked from its stem. 



'• Look as the flower which lingeringly doth fade. 

 The morning's darling late, the summer's queen ; 

 Spoiled of that juice which kept it fresh and green. 

 As high as it did raise, bows low the head." 



DllUMMOND. 



No true poet can describe a garden, or a bouquet, 

 without telling us that — 



" There was the pouting rose, both red and white." 



Apollo would no longer acknowledge him if he overlooked 

 this flower. 



