98 
THE WHITE ROSE. 
* 
ROSA ALBA. 
« A single rose is shedding there 
Its lonely lustre, meek and pale: 
It looks as planted by Despair — 
So white — so faint — the slightest gale 
Might whirl the leaves on high ; 
And yet, though storms and blight assail. 
And hands more rude than wintry sky 
BK May wring it from the stem — in vain — 
To-morrow sees it bloom again ! ” 
There is something peculiarly attractive in white 
flowers; they seem to embody the very idea of purity 
and innocence. Among them the rose is pre-eminent 
in loveliness, and whilst gazing on its opening blossoms 
■ “ of purest virgin-white, 
Low-bent and blushing inward,” 
one feels disposed to give it the meed of beauty before 
all other flowers, and to address it with the lavish praise 
