Ballads and Lyrics of Old France (24)

    THE Grave said to the Rose, 'What of the dews of dawn, Love's flower, what end is theirs？' 'And what of spirits flown, The souls whereon doth close The tomb's mouth unawares？' The Rose said to the Grave.

    The Rose said, 'In the shade From the dawn's tears is made A perfume faint and strange, Amber¹ and honey sweet.' 'And all the spirits fleet Do suffer a sky-change, More strangely than the dew, To God's own angels new,' The Grave said to the Rose.