Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | II. Love’s Nature | | Why? | | Mary Louise Ritter |
| | | WHY came the rose? Because the sun, in shining, | |
| Found in the mold some atoms rare and fine: | |
| And, stooping, drew and warmed them into growing,— | |
| Dust, with the spirit’s mystic countersign. | |
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| What made the perfume? All his wondrous kisses | 5 |
| Fell on the sweet red mouth, till, lost to sight, | |
| The love became too exquisite, and vanished | |
| Into a viewless rapture of the night. | |
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| Why did the rose die? Ah, why ask the question? | |
| There is a time to love, a time to give; | 10 |
| She perished gladly, folding close the secret | |
| Wherein is garnered what it is to live. | | | | |
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