92 POETRY OF THE ROSE. 



His crlowiiiff mantle of warm sunset hues 

 O'er thy unfolding petals, wet with dews 

 Such as the flower-fays to Titania bring? 

 ' O flower of thousand memories and dreams, 

 That take the heart with faintness, while we gaze 

 On the rich depths of thy inwoven maze ; 

 From the green banks of Eden's blessed streams 

 I dream'd thee brought, of brighter days to tell. 

 Long pass'd, but promised yet with us to dwell. 



C. P. Cranch. 



THE BRIDAL FLOWER. 



The married are compared by the Italian poet to the young Rose, which the 

 lover places in the bosom of his betrothed, first stripped of thorns. 



Thou virgin Rose ! whose opening leaves, so fair. 

 The dawn has nourish'd with her balmy dews ; 



While softest whispers of the morning air 

 Call'd forth the blushes of thy vermeil hues. 



That cautious hand which cropt thy youthful pride, 

 Transplants thy honors, where from hurt secure, 



Stript of each thorn offensive to thy side, 

 Thy nobler part alone shall bloom mature. 



Thus thou, a flower, exempt from change of skies, 

 By storms and torrents unassail'd shalt rise. 



And scorn the winter colds and summer heats ; 

 A guard more faithful tlien thy growth shall tend, 

 By whom thou mayest in tranquil union blend 



Eternal beauties wuth eternal sweets. 



From Metastasio. 



