THE FALL OF THE ROSE

What the First Bee sang, who knows When he tempted the First Rose? Some such tale the Flowers believe, As the Serpent told to Eve. Only this the Roses know: Petals once as white as snow To a burning crimson grew, As her Loveliness she knew. Then it was a leaf she took Out of Eve’s own fashion-book; And from Eden’s mosses wove An apron chaste. In vain she strove, For in that veil of emerald lace The Moss Rose found an added grace.