to TOETICAL ALLEGORY. 



The injur'd Rose beheld the theft, 

 And, blushing, chang'd to red, 



The snowy hue its bosom left, 

 And wounded hung its head. 



Its foliage wept a dewy shower 

 Which spoke some sad event, 



Eve tum'd, and saw the bleeding flower, 

 And marvelPd what it meant. 



Awhile she stood and gazed thereon, 

 Till trembling she withdrew, 



Unconscious that she trampled on 

 The fairest flower that grew. 



Here fancy paus'd, and truth began 



The wonder to disclose, 

 A nobler form than flower or man, 



Was crush'd beneath the Rose. 



That only trodden to the ground, 



Dishonour'd blushes red, 

 'Twas " Sharon's Rose " that felt the wound, 



'Twas " Sharon's Rose " that bled. 



The atrocious deed no sooner done, 

 Than Christ the victim stood ; 



In spotless white his godhead shone, 

 His manhood bath'd in blood. 



And hence the Roses now unite 



To exhibit Him that bled, 

 This wears the justifying white, 



And that the atoning red. 



The muse upon these graces gazed, 

 And brighter beauties eyed, 



Till lost in wonder, love, and praise, 

 She kiss'd the Rose and died. 



