European Elegies/Spring/"As the rose blossoms on her vernal spray"
75.“AS THE ROSE BLOSSOMS ON HER VERNAL SPRAY”
As the rose blossoms on her vernal sprayIn the first flower of her beauty new,Rivalling the heavens with her living hueWhen watered with the dew at dawn of day;
Her petals breathing grace and lovelinessPerfume the garden-walks and orchard air,But suddenly she dies in wan despair,Extinguished by rough rain or sun's excess.
So in the freshness of your maidenhood,While heaven and earth smiled in your happy eyes,Fate crushed you down. Now at your grave I've stood
To bring as tearful tribute of past hoursThis wreath of roses, that there may ariseEven from your dead lips the breath of flowers.
From the French of Pierre Ronsard.