Poems (Jordan)/A Rose
For works with similar titles, see A Rose.
A ROSE
Where doth the rose's life begin— Not in the tiny seed,This hideth life itself within, Some life doth hither lead!
And doth the little seedling die, Or changeth Life his dressTo thus his former self deny In words the roots express?
Where are the brown-masked colors hid— Those rainbow-flakes, which feedEach flower-growth the Lord doth bid Come forth of pris'ning seed?
If Hea'vn so feed the flow'rs which grow, Of Earthly mother born,What fath'ring life hath built below The stall where feeds the thorn?
Sweet flower! thou but comest armed With weapon God selects,And, that thou mayest bless unharmed, The thorn thy life protects!