The Rose

Five-petaled splendor set in hillside place,
Parent of queenly sisterhood that stir
To every garden wind, and swift confer
Attar to pour from out each precious vase!
Symbol of secrecy to Latin race,
Virtue and blood to York and Lancaster,
Thy tint de Pompadour sweet arts transfer
To Sevres', and erst "rose noble" bore thy grace.

To me thou art the glow of secret heat
That burneth at the heart of day and night,
An odorous flush of beauty without blame,--
Love's oriel wherethrough my eyes discreet
May look far in beyond the outward sight
And, unconsumëd, see His fiery flame.