The Poetry of the Rose. 31 



Fresh wreaths of roses from Rome's gardens torn 



Where'er the sailor turned his steps he knew. 

 Bright with the blooms Italia's soil had borne. 



Where'er he turned his eyes, plants prosp'ring grew. 

 " I see " he cried " we may send you our corn, 

 But winter roses we must get from you." 



Martial's Epigram, Book VI., p. 80. 



Translated by the Rev. F. C. Paul. 



The poetry of Persia abounds in allusions to the Rose, which often figures in com- 

 pany with the Nightingale. We select the following : 



When Omar died the Rose did weep 



Its petals on his tomb, 

 He would be laid where north winds keep 



The rose in freshest bloom. 



When Sadi came, the child of song, 



Each Rose flushed rosy red, 

 He sang their beauty all day long ; 



With Roses crowned his head. 



They shed no tear when Sadi died, 



Aloft their scent they flung ! 

 " What matters Time or Death ?" they cried, 



" Of us has Sadi sung ! " 

 From Kos Rosarum, p. 43. Anna Hills, 1884. 



France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Russia have all their poetry of Roses. 

 That of France is particularly varied and abundant. Rapin wrote a Latin poem on 

 Gardens early in the eighteenth century, from which we make the following extract : 



But richest odours the soft air perfume, 



While now mild zephyrs blow and rose trees bloom, 



The garden's Queen in all her glory shows 



As the green trees their purple buds disclose. 



Withdraw your charms then all ye meaner train 



And yield where Majesty and beauty reign ; 



Compared with her the ruddy morn seems pale 



And conscious Cynthia's waning beauties fail. 



The rose that feared to trust the yester sun, 



But in close folds continued still unblown, 



Now no strong tie her swelling leaves restrains, 



Breaks through impatient of her former chains ; 



Wide o'er the garden now she sheds perfumes, 



Unrumples her swol'n buds and gaily blooms ; 



Her looks discover what she once has been, 



Her blushes show her chaste, her air a Queen. 



Common report mistook, which falsely said 



The rose was once an Amazonian maid ; 



She was a Grecian born, gave Corinth laws, 



And fame proclaimed her worth with such applause 



That youthful rivals for her favour strove, 



And high-born Kings were candidates for love. 



Valiant Halesus first her suitor came, 



Who, soldier-like, disclosed his bolder flame ; 



Then Brias, born near the seven beds of Nile, 



And Areas, laden with rich Theban spoil ; 



