Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/Song (Oh roses for the flush of youth)

by Christina Georgina Rossetti

SONG.

OH roses for the flush of youth,
 And laurel for the perfect prime;
But pluck an ivy branch for me
 Grown old before my time.

Oh violets for the grave of youth,
 And bay for those dead in their prime;
Give me the withered leaves I chose
 Before in the old time.