¶ The Rose.
PRess me not to take more pleasure In this world of sugred lies, And to use a larger measure Then my strict, yet welcome size. First, there is no pleasure here: Colourd griefs indeed there are, Blushing woes, that look as cleare As if they could beautie spare. O if such deceits there be, Such delights I meant to say; There are no such things to me, Who have passd my right away. But I will not much oppose Unto what you now advise: Onely take this gentle rose, And therein my answer lies. What is fairer then a rose? What is sweeter? yet it purgeth.1 Purgings enmitie disclose, Enmitie forbearance urgeth. If then all that worldlings prize Be contracted to a rose; Sweetly there indeed it lies, But it biteth in the close. So this flower doth judge and sentence Worldly joyes to be a scourge: For they all produce repentance, And repentance is a purge. But I health, not physick choose: Onely though I you oppose, Say that fairly I refuse, For my answer is a rose. |
1 purgeth. flush unhealthy toxins from the system. General note on herbal cures: The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes by John Gerarde [or Gerard], (Norton and Whittaker: London, 1633), p.1263, lists the medicinal properties of roses. Some are included below [Return]:
[The letter "u" may be a modern "v," or visa versa, and "i" = "y" and "i" = "j"] See also a Modern Herbal. [Return] Music Interpretation: "The Rose" by Red Dragon. |
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