A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Descriptive Songs/The Last Rose of Summer

by Edward Caswall

For works with similar titles, see The Last Rose of Summer.

37. The Last Rose of Summer.

The last rose of summer
Is faded and fled,
The leaves that adorn'd her
Are dying or dead;
The autumn is coming,
And, strong in its blast,
Will open for winter
A passage at last.

Oh, how to my spirit
It seemeth to say,
Thus too is thy summer
Fast fading away;
And the things that thou lovest,
Though beautiful now,
And the friends thou hast chosen.
Are fragile as thou.

Dost thou covet a summer
More certain of bliss?
Go seek thee a country
Far brighter than this;
Where the joys thou hast lost, thou
Shalt never deplore,
And the friends thou hast chosen
Shall quit thee no more.

Rev. Edward Caswall

---