Gossip

The news around the garden flew:
Last night the Rose was robbed—A flower
Was filched from her and flung into
The casement of my Lady’s bower.

The flowers were mystified. In vain
They asked of one another, “Pray,
What ails our Lady of Disdain
That she must wear a Rose to-day”?

The Daisy, with her latest breath,
’Reft of her petals, whispered low,
“It is a secret to the Death;
I gave my petals all to know.”