The Tulip and the Eglantine
The Tulip called to the Eglantine;
"Good neighbor, I hope you see
How the throngs that visit the garden come
To pay their respects to me.
"The florist admires my elegant robe,
And praises its rainbow ray,
Till it seems as if, through his raptured eyes
He was gazing his soul away."
"It may be so," said the Eglantine;
"In a humble nook I dwell,
And what is passing among the great
I cannot know so well.
But they speak of me as the flower of love,
And that low-whispered name
Is dearer to me, and my infant buds,
Than the loudest breath of fame."
—Anonymous
The Rose: Its History, Poetry, Culture and Classification, 1847, pp. 73—74.
Get a book of beautiful Victorian poems about roses —including this one!
A Bouquet of
Victorian Roses
All hail the Queen of Flowers! In this collection of Victorian writings on roses, brief prose remarks, lovely poetry and engaging short stories are gathered together —all with nature's most perfect blossom as their central theme. From poetry on the fragrant beauty of roses, to tales ranging from a ghost story about roses as omens to a romance of love among the roses, this collection will delight anyone who dreams of being surrounded by roses. A perfect gift for weddings, birthdays… or your own sunny afternoon!
Compiled and edited by Sarah A. Chrisman, author of the Tales of Chetzemoka series and others.