Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | V. Trees: Flowers: Plants | | Flowers | | Thomas Hood (1799–1845) |
| | | I WILL not have the mad Clytie, | |
| Whose head is turned by the sun; | |
| The tulip is a courtly quean, | |
| Whom, therefore, I will shun: | |
| The cowslip is a country wench, | 5 |
| The violet is a nun;— | |
| But I will woo the dainty rose, | |
| The queen of every one. | |
| |
| The pea is but a wanton witch, | |
| In too much haste to wed, | 10 |
| And clasps her rings on every hand; | |
| The wolfsbane I should dread; | |
| Nor will I dreary rosemarye, | |
| That always mourns the dead; | |
| But I will woo the dainty rose, | 15 |
| With her cheeks of tender red. | |
| |
| The lily is all in white, like a saint, | |
| And so is no mate for me; | |
| And the daisy’s cheek is tipped with a blush | |
| She is of such low degree; | 20 |
| Jasmine is sweet, and has many loves, | |
| And the broom ’s betrothed to the bee;— | |
| But I will plight with the dainty rose, | |
| For fairest of all is she. | | | | |
|
|
