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1.
Warm rival of the flame that dyes
The heavens, where morning takes its birth,
Pure, glowing Rose! how canst thou rise
So fresh with joy, so full of mirth—
Whilst conscious that thy gifted charms
Pass swift as summer's transient gale,
That neither can thy prickly arms,
Nor purple beauty aught avail,
An hour—an instant to delay
The killing stroke of quick decay?
Warm rival of the flame that dyes
The heavens, where morning takes its birth,
Pure, glowing Rose! how canst thou rise
So fresh with joy, so full of mirth—
Whilst conscious that thy gifted charms
Pass swift as summer's transient gale,
That neither can thy prickly arms,
Nor purple beauty aught avail,
An hour—an instant to delay
The killing stroke of quick decay?
2.
The full-blown heart, the smiling cheek,
That looks so happy, breathes so sweet,
I fear, already, whilst I speak,
Will wither in the ardent heat.
For all the perfumed leaves that glad
Thy heart, Love paid a purple pinion
From his rich wings; how sweet, yet sad
An image of his dear dominion!
The passions blossom, charm, and bow
To death, almost as soon as thou.
The full-blown heart, the smiling cheek,
That looks so happy, breathes so sweet,
I fear, already, whilst I speak,
Will wither in the ardent heat.
For all the perfumed leaves that glad
Thy heart, Love paid a purple pinion
From his rich wings; how sweet, yet sad
An image of his dear dominion!
The passions blossom, charm, and bow
To death, almost as soon as thou.