The lily has a smooth stalk, Will never hurt your hand; But the rose upon her brier Is lady of the land. There's sweetness in an apple tree, And profit in the corn; But lady of all beauty Is a rose upon a thorn. When with moss and honey She tips her bending brier, And half unfolds her glowing heart, She sets the world on fire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TOM'S GARLAND: UPON THE UNEMPLOYED by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 8. PRELUDE: THE KISS by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE A SEA-SPELL (FOR A PICTURE) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI SONNET TO A CLAM by JOHN GODFREY SAXE ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 24 by PHILIP SIDNEY INSTRUCTIONS, SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN IN PARIS, FOR THE MOB IN ENGLAND by MARY (CUMBERLAND) ALCOCK ROCOCO by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |