Poems of Experience/How the White Rose Came

The roses all were pink and red, Before the Bumble Bee, A lover bold, with cloak of gold, Came singing merrily Along the sunlit ways that led From woodland, and from lea.

He paused beside an opening rose, The garden’s pet and pride; She burst in flower that very hour, While wooing zephyrs sighed; No smile had she for one of those, And hope within them died.

The ardent butterfly in vain On radiant wings drew near; The hapless moth in vain grew wroth - The fair rose leaned to hear The deep-voiced stranger’s low refrain That thrilled upon her ear.

She gave her heart in love’s delight And let the whole world see; Alas! one day, away, away, Sped truant Bumble Bee; ’Twas then the red rose turned to white - So was the tale told me.