Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WHITE FLAG by JOHN MILTON HAY

First Line: I SENT MY LOVE TWO ROSES
Last Line: THE WHITE ROSE MEANT SURRENDER.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES;
I SENT my love two roses, -- one
As white as driven snow,
And one a blushing royal red,
A flaming Jacqueminot.

I meant to touch and test my fate;
That night I should divine,
The moment I should see my love,
If her true heart were mine.

For if she holds me dear, I said,
She'll wear my blushing rose;
If not, she'll wear my cold Lamarque,
As white as winter's snows.

My heart sank when I met her: sure
I had been overbold,
For on her breast my pale rose lay
In virgin whiteness cold.

Yet with low words she greeted me,
With smiles divinely tender;
Upon her cheek the red rose dawned, --
The white rose meant surrender.



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