Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | I. Admiration | | To the Princess Lucretia | | Torquato Tasso (1544–1595) |
| | From London Magazine
THY unripe youth seemed like the purple rose | |
| That to the warm ray opens not its breast, | |
| But, hiding still within its mossy vest, | |
| Dares not its virgin beauties to disclose; | |
| Or like Aurora, when the heaven first glows,— | 5 |
| For likeness from above will suit thee best,— | |
| When she with gold kindles each mountain crest, | |
| And o’er the plain her pearly mantle throws. | |
| No loss from time thy riper age receives, | |
| Nor can young beauty decked with art’s display | 10 |
| Rival the native graces of thy form: | |
| Thus lovelier is the flower whose full-blown leaves | |
| Perfume the air, and more than orient ray | |
| The sun’s meridian glories blaze and warm. | | | | |
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