DROPS FROM FLORA’S CDF. 
125 
ORIGIN OF THE THORNY RED ROSE. 
LEGEND OF THE ROSE. 
-Ah, lady! list my tale, 
I was tlie summer’s fairest pride, 
The nightingale's betrothed bride; 
In Shiraz’s bowers I sprang to birth 
When love first lighted on the earthf 
And then my pure inodorous blossom, 
Blooming on its thorny tree, 
Was snowy as its mother’s bosom, 
Rising from the emerald sea. 
Young love rambling through the wood. 
Found me in my solitude; 
Bright with dew and freshly blown, 
And trembling to the zephyr’s sighs. 
But as he stood, to gaze upon 
The living gem with raptured eyes, 
It chanced a bee was busy there, 
Searching for its fragrant fare; 
And Cupid stooping, too, to sip, 
The angry insect stung his lip — 
And gushing from the ambrosial cell, 
One bright drop on my bosom fell I 
Weeping, to his mother he 
Told the tale of treachery; 
And she her vengeful boy to please, 
Strung his bow with captive bees; 
