Poems (Procter)/Three Roses
For works with similar titles, see Three Roses.
UST when the red June Roses blowShe gave me one,—a year ago.A Rose whose crimson breath revealedThe secret that its heart concealed,And whose half shy, half tender graceBlushed back upon the giver's face. A year ago—a year ago— To-hope was not to know.
THREE ROSES.
UST when the red June Roses blowShe gave me one,—a year ago.A Rose whose crimson breath revealedThe secret that its heart concealed,And whose half shy, half tender graceBlushed back upon the giver's face. A year ago—a year ago— To-hope was not to know.Just when the red June Roses blowI plucked her one,—a month ago:Its half-blown crimson to eclipse,I laid it on her smiling lips;The balmy fragrance of the southDrew sweetness from her sweeter mouth. Swiftly do golden hours creep,— To hold is not to keep.
The red June Roses now are past,This very day I broke the last,—And now its perfumed breath is hid,With her, beneath a coffin-lid;There will its petals fall apart,And wither on her icy heart:— At three red Roses' cost My world was gained and lost.