Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/Song (Oh roses for the flush of youth)
For other versions of this work, see Song ("Oh roses for the flush of youth").
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.