John Addington Symonds, The Example of the Rose, from Mediæval Latin Students’ Songs, from The Bibelot, Volume I, Number III, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Edited by Thomas B. Mosher, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 12th, 13th century English poetry and music, troubadours, Goliardic songs and poems, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot1SymondsRose)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume I, Number III, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1895; pp. 66-7 .

“A roundelay, which might be styled the Praise of May or the exhortation to be liberal in love by The Example of the Rose shall follow.”

THE EXAMPLE
OF
THE ROSE.

WINTER’S untruth yields at last,
     Spring renews old mother earth;
Angry storms are overpast,
    Sunbeams fill the air with mirth;
    Pregnant, ripening unto birth
            All the world reposes.

Our delightful month of May,
    Not by birth, but by degree,
Took the first place, poets say;
    Since the whole year’s cycle he,
    Youngest, loveliest, leads with glee,
            And the cycle closes.

From the honours of the rose
    They decline, the rose abuse,
Who, when roses red unclose,
    Seek not their own sweets to use;
    ’Tis with largess, liberal dues,
            That the rose discloses.

67
Taught to wanton, taught to play,
    By the young year’s wanton flower,
We will take no heed to-day,
    Have no thought for thrift this hour;
    Thrift, whose uncongenial power
            Laws on youth imposes.

III. MEDIÆVAL LATIN STUDENTS’ SONGS

THE EXAMPLE
OF
THE ROSE.

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III. MEDIÆVAL LATIN STUDENTS’ SONGS

THE EXAMPLE OF THE ROSE.

[Back] [Blueprint] [Next]

THE EXAMPLE
OF
THE ROSE.