SONG OF THE ROSE 85 



SONG OF THE ROSE 



(From "Achilles Tatius") 



IF Zeus chose us a king of the flowers in his 



mirth, 

 He would call to the rose, and would royally 



crown it ; 

 For the rose, ho, the rose ! is the grace of the 



earth, 

 Is the light of the plants that are growing upon 



it; 

 For the rose, ho, the rose ! is the eye of the 



flowers, 

 Is the blush of the meadows that feel themselves 



fair, 

 Is the lightning of beauty that strikes through the 



bowers 



On pale lovers who sit in the glow unaware. 

 Ho, the rose breathes of love ! ho, the rose lifts the 



cup 



To the red lips of Cypris invoked for a guest ! 

 Ho, the rose, having curled its sweet leaves for the 



world, 



Takes delight in the motion its petals keep up, 

 As they laugh to the wind as it laughs from the 

 west ! 



Attributed to SAPPHO. 

 (Translated by E. B. BROWNING.) 



