1
See how sweetly blooms yon op’ning Rose,
That young summer’s radiance flushes!
Love’s best emblem mark, its leaves disclose
Softest wishes, smiles and blushes:
Yet with summer roses vanish;
Ages’ winter love shall banish;
Wreaths of roses
Twine then while still they’re gay!
Love’s sweet blossoms
Call then in youth’s fresh May!
2
Yonder see the shining Myrtles bloom,
Friendship’s emblem, pure unfading;
Mark their sober green and mild perfume,
With no flaunting sweets parading:
There no covert thorns are lurking,
Mischief veil’d in sweetness working:
Wreaths of myrtle
In green perennial shine —
Holy friendship
Still blooms tho’ years decline!
3
With my Celia would I twine a wreath
Of the Rose and Myrtle blended;
That, their sweets no more tho’ roses breathe,
Still its verdure were not ended;
As our roses’ bloom is shedding,
Shall our myrtles’ growth be spreading:
Love’s bright radiance
Shall light our youthful day —
Tender Friendship
Shall gild our years’ decay!