The Rose
The Rose
Original Text
Flowers of France: The Renaissance Period, from Ronsard to Saint-Amant, Representative Poems of the Sixteenth Century, trans. John Payne (London: Villon Society, 1907): 27-28.
1Let us go see, dear, if the rose,
2Which but this morning did unclose
3Her crown of crimson in the sun,
4Have not this eventide laid down
5The glories of her purple gown
6And colour peered (save thine) of none.
7Alack, love, in how short a space
8See, now, she hath on the earth's face
9Her beauties scattered, wellaway!
10Ah Nature, true stepmother thou,
11That such a flower dost but allow,
12To live and dure for one poor day!
13So, if you will believe me, dear,
14Whilst Spring yet flowers and life's year
15Is in its rathest green for you,
16Cull, cull the roses of your youth;
17For eld your beauties, without ruth.
18Away, as from the rose, will do.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
Data entry: Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2012
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