Rondeau: Violet

Violet, delicate, sweet,
Down in the deep of the wood,
Hid in thy still retreat,
Far from the sound of the street,

Man and his merciless mood: —
Safe from the storm and the heat.
Breathing of beauty and good
Fragrantly under thy hood,
Violet.
Beautiful maid, discreet,
Where is the mate that is meet,

Meet for thee — strive as he could!
Yet will I kneel at thy feet,
Fearing another one should,
Violet!