IN PRAISE OF GARDENS 



But the rose was awake all night for your sake, 



Knowing your promise to me ; 

 The lillies and roses were all awake, 



They sigh'd for the dawn and thee. 



Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls, 

 Come hither, the dances are done, 



In glare of satin and glimmer of pearls, 

 Queen lily and rose in one ; 



Shine out, little head, sunning over with curls, 

 To the flowers, and be their sun. 



There has fallen a splendid tear 

 From the passion-flower at the gate, 



She is coming, my dove, my dear; 



She is coming, my life, my fate; 



The red rose cries, " She is near, she is near " ; 

 And the white rose weeps, " She is late "; 



The larkspur listens, " I hear, I hear " ; 

 And the lily whispers, " I wait." 



She is coming, my own, my sweet; 



Were it ever so airy a tread, 

 My heart would hear her and beat, 



Were it earth in an earthy bed; 



[88] 



