ROSE-BUSH. 369 



Her slender virgin train are seen 

 In their close fit caps of green." 



DESCENT or 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. 



<f 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. 



Constance, expatiating on the beauty of her son, says 



" Nature and fortune joined to make thee great : 

 Of nature's gifts thou may'st with lilies boast, 

 And with the half-blown rose." 



SHAKESPEARE. 



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." 



DRUMMOND. 



The Rose flourishes chiefly in the months of May and 

 June. Spenser speaks of 



" The roses reigning in the pride of May." 



B B 



