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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAROL by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "ALL OF A ROSE, A LOVELY ROSE, / ALL OF A ROSE I SING A SONG"
Last Line: "NOW CHRIST SAVE ALL THIS COMPANIE, THAT LONG LIFE WE MAY KNOW!"

@3All of a Rose, a lovely Rose,
All of a Rose I sing a song@1.

Hearken to me both old and young,
How from its root a Rose-tree sprung,
Of fairer rose no song was sung,
Never, in any king's land!

Branches six had that Rose, I ween,
Those branches were both bright and sheen,
That Rose is Mary, Heaven's Queen --
From her breast a Flower sprung!

The first Branch was of wondrous might,
When It sprang forth on Christmas night
A star shone over Bethlehem bright,
Far and wide its beams flung.

The second Branch was of great honour,
It came adown from Heaven's tower,
Blessed shall be that goodly Flower,
Break It shall the Fiend's band.

The third Branch, wide afar it spread;
To Mary, in her lowly bed,
Three kings Its beams have safely led,
Branch and Flower to show!

The fourth Branch sprang adown to Hell
The foul Fiend's boast to surely quell,
That never soul therein should dwell --
Blest be the day, and land!

The fifth Branch was right fair to see,
It sprang to Heaven, both top and tree,
There shall It dwell, our Boon to be,
Yet rest in priest's hand.

The sixth Branch, it shall, bye and bye,
Be the Five Joys of Maid Marie, --
Now Christ save all this companie,
That long life we may know!



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