The married are resembled by Metastasio to the young Rose, which the lover places 

 in the bosom of his mistress, first stript of thorns. 



Thou virgin Rose! whose op'ning 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 honours, 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, shall rise, 



And scorn the winter colds, and summer heats: 

 A guard more faithful then thy growth shall tend, 

 By whom thou may'st in tranquil union blend 



Eternal beauties with eternal sweets. 



Roscoe. 





TO THE ROSE. 



Sacred to beauty's Queen, hail lovely flow'r! 

 How sweet the fragance of thy scented bow'r! 

 In graceful folds thy milk-white vestments flow, 

 Or a pale blush o'erspreads thy modest brow. 

 Round thy fair form what crowds of flatt'rers stand; 

 Praise thy fine shape, and court thy snowy hand. 

 Ah, simple maid! thy charms will soon decay, 

 Will fade and wither at the close of day! 



Frances Arabella Rowden. 







The decay of the charms of the Rose very properly leads to serious and moral reflections. 



SONG. 



The pride of ev'ry grove I chose, 

 The Violet sweet, and Lily fair, 



The dappled Pink, and blushing Rose, 

 To deck my charming Chloe's hair. 



At morn the nymph vouchsaf d to place 

 Upon her brow the various wreath ; 



The flow'rs less blooming than her face, 

 The scent less fragrant than her breath. 



