I. LOVELIEST of flowers That in the garden grows, Brightest, sweetest, fairest, Crimson blushing rose. Envy of all others, No charm thy beauty misses, Favourite of Phoebus, Blushing at his kisses. II. Yet as he outshineth, Glorying in his might, The pale, uncertain spendour Of Luna's silver light -- So does Amarilla, When compared unto thee, Heedless wanton, careless Of the thousand lips that woo thee. III. Thou has cruel thorns Beneath thy rich leaves lying, But she is soft and gentle As AEolian music sighing; Thou heedest not the murmur Of Zephyr when he sings, But see her dark eyes flashing When I touch my golden strings. IV. In the month of flowers, When flaunting in thy pride, Crimson-robed Queen, I shall place thee side by side; Then, Cupid, come and tell me, On thy judgment I'll repose, Which is fairest, brightest, Amarilla or the Rose? Stay! here is Venus coming, The goddess will decide -- Ah! tis not the Paphian Queen, But Amarilla, my young Bride! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRAISE FOR AN URN; IN MEMORIAM: ERNEST NELSON by HAROLD HART CRANE BEFORE MARCHING, AND AFTER (IN MEMORIAM F.W.G.) by THOMAS HARDY ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 3: 34. MUTABILITY by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THEY CALL IT BUSINESS by CHARLES G. ADAMS FROM A TRENCH by MAUD ANNA BELL HATED by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |