Page:Lyrics of Lowly Life Dunbar (1896).djvu/50
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Lyrics of Lowly Life.
And, watching, ever smiled to see the lusty bud
Drink freely in the summer sun to tinct its
blood.
Drink freely in the summer sun to tinct its
blood.
My rose began to open, and its hue
Was sweet to me as to it sun and dew;
I watched it taking on its ruddy flame
Until the day of perfect blooming came,
Then hasted I with smiles to find it blushing
red—
Too late! Some thoughtless child had plucked
my rose and fled!
Was sweet to me as to it sun and dew;
I watched it taking on its ruddy flame
Until the day of perfect blooming came,
Then hasted I with smiles to find it blushing
red—
Too late! Some thoughtless child had plucked
my rose and fled!
Fulfilment.
I GREW a rose once more to please mine eyes.
All things to aid it—dew, sun, wind, fair
skies—
Were kindly; and to shield it from despoil,
I fenced it safely in with grateful toil.
No other hand than mine shall pluck this
flower, said I,
And I was jealous of the bee that hovered nigh.
All things to aid it—dew, sun, wind, fair
skies—
Were kindly; and to shield it from despoil,
I fenced it safely in with grateful toil.
No other hand than mine shall pluck this
flower, said I,
And I was jealous of the bee that hovered nigh.
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