Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume II/The Tomb Said to the Rose

by Florence Earle Coates

For other versions of this work, see The Tomb said to the Rose.

THE TOMB SAID TO THE ROSE

AFTER THE FRENCH OF VICTOR HUGO

THE tomb said to the rose:
—"With the tears thy leaves enclose,
What makest thou, love's flower?"
The rose said to the tomb:
—"Tell me of all those whom
Death gives into thy power!"

The rose said:—"Tomb, 't is strange,
But these tears of love I change
Into perfumes amber sweet."
The tomb said:—"Plaintive flower,
Of these souls, I make each hour
Angels, for heaven meet!"