Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/Once for all
ONCE FOR ALL.
(Margaret.)
I SAID: This is a beautiful fresh rose. I said: I will delight me with its scent; Will watch its lovely curve of languishment, Will watch its leaves unclose, its heart unclose. I said: Old earth has put away her snows, All living things make merry to their bent, A flower is come for every flower that went In autumn, the sun glows, the south wind blows, So walking in a garden of delight I came upon one sheltered shadowed nook Where broad leaf shadows veiled the day with night And there lay snow unmelted by the sun:—I answered: Take who will the path I took, Winter nips once for all; love is but one.