SOME love the Laureate's 'tall Elaine'; There are, who leaving Maud and May, With Morris, of Yolande are 'fain' (And add thereto, perchance, 'le Fay'); Some shepherding with Phillis stray, And some with Greek Autonoe; -- I care not who shall say me nay; But Rose is still the name for me. To Bulwer's Blanche some true remain; Some Ethel love with Thackeray; Some turn to Dickens' Nell, again; Some choose the Ruth of Wordsworth's lay; And some Sir Walter's Di. obey; Some Christabel, of S.T.C.; And some with Herrick's Julia play; But Rose is still the name for me. 'By Celia's arbour' some complain; Some with Olivia 'make their hay'; To some not e'en Amelia Jane, Or Ann-Matilda strike dismay; To some Susanna's charms convey 'The chaste -- the inexpressive She'; Some Hetty, Letty, Tetty sway; -- But Rose is still the name for me. ENVOY. Maids, in all names a maiden may Allure 'the inexpressive He,' -- This none deny; -- I simply say -- 'But Rose is still the name for me.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL HESTER PRYNNE? by KAREN SWENSON OZYMANDIAS REVISITED by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP THE THANKSGIVING IN BOSTON HARBOR [JUNE 12, 1630] by HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH THE BROWN THRUSH by LUCY LARCOM PROVINCIA DESERTA by EZRA POUND |