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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ROSE by RICHARD LOVELACE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: SWEET, SERENE, SKY-LIKE FLOWER
Last Line: BECAUSE HER CHEEKS ARE NEAR.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES;

SWEET, serene, sky-like flower,
Haste to adorn her bower:
From thy long cloudy bed
Shoot forth thy damask head.

New-startled blush of Flora!
The grief of pale Aurora,
Who will contest no more,
Haste, haste, to strow her floor.

Vermilion ball that's given
From lip to lip in heaven;
Love's couch's coverled,
Haste, haste, to make her bed.

Dear offspring of pleas'd Venus
And jolly plump Silenus,
Haste, haste, to deck the hair
Of th' only sweetly fair.

See! rosy is her bower,
Her floor is all this flower,
Her bed a rosy nest
By a bed of roses press'd.

But early as she dresses,
Why fly you her bright tresses?
Ah! I have found I fear:
Because her cheeks are near.



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