Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HEARTH-ROSES by HERMAN MELVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SUGAR-MAPLE EMBERS IN BED
Last Line: SMELLING SWEET IN OUR DUST.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES;

The Sugar-Maple embers in bed
Here fended in Garden of Fire,
Like the Roses yield musk,
Like the Roses are Red,
Like the Roses expire
Lamented when low;
But, excelling the flower,
Are odorous in ashes
As e'en in their glow.

Ah, Love, when life closes,
Dying the death of the just,
May we vie with Hearth-Roses,
Smelling sweet in our dust.



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