Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DEATH IN YOUTH, by JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEATH IN YOUTH, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: I noted once a fair castilian rose
Last Line: "tis fairer fortune to die young than old."
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramirez, Juana De Asbaje Y; Cruz, Juana Ines De La; Juana Ines De La Cruz
Subject(s): Death; Love; Youth; Dead, The


I NOTED once a fair Castilian rose,
All blushing with the bloom of life new-born,
Flaunt lovingly her beauty to the morn,
Whose whisper wooed the coy bud to unclose
Her dewy petals to his kiss. "Thy foes,"
I cried, "the cankering elves of darkness, scorn!
The joys of purity thy day adorn,
And guard thee through the night's despoiling woes.
And thus, though withering Death may touch thy leaf,
And in his dusky veil thy fragrance fold,
Thy youth and beauty ever smile at grief.
Thy little life and story quickly told
Make blest the teaching of a sweet belief:
"Tis fairer fortune to die young than old."






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