BEAUTY. 
49 
The rose adorns the whole earth, as it is the 
commonest of flowers. The same day that 
its beauty is perfected it dies ; but each spring 
restores it to us with renewed freshness. 
Poets have had fair opportunities for singing 
its praises, yet they have not rendered its 
eulogy common-place, but its name alone 
redeems their names from forgetfulness. 
Emblem of all ages,—interpreter of all our 
sentiments,— the rose mingles in the gaiety 
of our feasts, in our happiuess, and in our 
sorrows. It is also the ornament of beauty, 
and lends its soft carnation hues to the blush 
of modesty. It is given as the prize of vir¬ 
tue ; and is the image of youth, of innocence, 
and of pleasure. Venus is said to feel that 
she has a rival in the rose, as it possesses, 
like her, a grace which is more lovely than 
beauty itself. 
Anacreon, the poet of love, has celebrated 
the rose ; and, perhaps, he has sung its praise 
more worthily than any of his successors. 
Moore has thus translated the Ode: — 
While we invoke the wreathed spring, 
Resplendent rose ! to thee we’ll sing; 
Resplendent rose, the flower of flowers, 
Whose breath perfumes Olympus’ bowers; 
Whose virgin blush, of chasten’d dye, 
Enchants so much our mortal eye. 
When pleasure’s bloomy season glows, 
The Graces love to twine the rose; 
The rose is warm Dione’s bliss, 
And flushes like Dione’s kiss! 
