Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SHIELD OF THE MARGUERITE, by JEAN DE LA TAILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHIELD OF THE MARGUERITE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As I my garden sought one morn
Last Line: Must hold the lovely marguerite.


AS I my garden sought one morn
Of April, month when love was born,
I saw a flower whose beauty far
Surpassed all other flowers that are.
'Twas not the pansy, pink, nor yet
The rose or modest violet,
It was the lovely Marguerite,
My heart shall hold most dear and sweet.

'Twas but beginning to unfold,
And centre show of burnished gold.
It is the fairest flower that grows.
Longer in beauty doth it stay
Than violets or than lilies may,
Than the carnation or the rose;
And so my heart must hold most sweet,
Than all flowers else, the Marguerite.

Others may praise the varied hues
Of flowers that fade e'er evening dews,
E'en as the tender rose we see,
Only for one short month displayed.
My humble flower more pleases me,
That long can last and never fade,
And to my heart must hold most sweet,
Than all flowers else, the Marguerite.

Ah! would, kind heaven, one day she might
My love with equal love requite;
Some day crown with such happiness,
And listen to my constant prayer,
That I this floweret may possess
Which grows each fleeting day more fair;
Since of all flowers my heart most sweet
Must hold the lovely Marguerite.





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