Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WIND AND THE ROSE; AN APOLOGUE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WIND AND THE ROSE; AN APOLOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A little red rose bloomed all alone
Last Line: "and kill where he meant to cure!"
Subject(s): Death; Flowers; Roses; Dead, The


I.

A LITTLE red Rose bloomed all alone
In a hedge by the highway side;
And the Wind came by with a pitying moan,
And thus to the floweret cried:

II.

"You are choked with dust from the sandy ledge;
Now see what a friend can do!
I will pierce a hole in the tangled hedge
And let the breeze come through."

III.

"Nay, let me be, I am well enough!"
Said the Rose in deep dismay;
But the Wind is always rude and rough,
And of course he had his way.

IV.

And the breeze blew soft on the little red Rose,
But now she was sore afraid,
For the naughty boys, her ancient foes,
Came through where the gap was made.

V.

"I see," said the Wind, when he came again,
And looked at the trembling flower,
"You are out of place; it is very plain
You are meant for a lady's bower."

VI.

"Nay, let me be!" said the shuddering Rose;
"No sorrow I ever had known
Till you came here to break my repose,
Now, please to let me alone!"

VII.

But the will of the Wind is strong as death,
And little he recked her cries;
He plucked her up with his mighty breath,
And away to the town he flies.

VIII.

Oh, all too rough was the windy ride
For a Rose so weak and small;
And soon her leaves on every side
Began to scatter and fall.

IX.

"Now, what is this?" said the wondering Wind,
As the Rose in fragments fell;
"This paltry stem is all I find, --
I am sure I meant it well!"

X.

"It means just this: that a meddling friend,"
Said the dying stalk, "is sure
To mar the matter he aimed to mend,
And kill where he meant to cure!"





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