TO A ROSE. 



SINCE king and shepherd own 



Thee for the queen of flowers, 

 When thou art fully blown 



In Summer-laughing hours ; 

 Since none partake thy throne ; 



What need a Poet's powers 

 To make thy kingdom known, 



Thou sovereign of the bowers ? 



What need to paint the state 



Of amber-haired Morn ? 

 Or the ripe Day relate, 



Which is in ocean born ? 

 These all confess are great ; 



And yet all tongues adorn 

 Pure love cannot abate, 



Nor duty be forborne. 



201 



