C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

From Sarbiewski—Sapphics to a Rose

From ‘Specimens of the Polish Poets’

[Intended to be used in the garlands for decorating the head of the Virgin Mary.]

ROSE of the morning, in thy glowing beauty

Bright as the stars, and delicate and lovely,

Lift up thy head above thy earthly dwelling,

Daughter of heaven!

Wake! for the watery clouds are all dispersing;

Zephyr invites thee,—frosts and snows of winter

All are departed, and Favonian breezes

Welcome thee smiling.

Rise in thy beauty;—wilt thou form a garland

Round the fair brow of some belovèd maiden?

Pure though she be, unhallowed temple never,

Flow’ret! shall wear thee.

Thou shouldst be wreathed in coronal immortal—

Thou shouldst be flung upon a shrine eternal—

Thou shouldst be twined among the golden ringlets

Of the pure Virgin.