from the German.
Originally published in The Keepsake for 1828 (Hurst, Chance, and Co.; Nov 1827).
Rose, how art thou charming and mild,
Sweet in the garden, fair in the wild!
Graceful type of Innocence,
Meek in thy modest confidence,
Thou, that shalt an offering be
To my soul's divinity,
Hiding thy wo with a gentle guile,
From amidst thy thorns dost sweetly smile.
Rose, thou gott'st thy radiant hue
From drinking the sunset falling dew!
Joy of the mead and the garden's pride,
Many a bosom thou deck'st beside!
Wafting still thy odorous breath
As thou fadest into death!
Loveliest of the things we see,
Rose, I'll live and die with thee!