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 
