Note 3 — LA ROSE MOUSSEUSE.[3]
Reading edition
The story of the "Moss Rose" has been developed from the following beautiful lines by Krummacher:—
"Weary of pleasure, And laden with treasure, The Angel of flowers Had wandered for hours; When he sunk to his rest With his wings on his breast. And the rose of the glade Lent her beautiful shade, To guard and to cover The flower king's slumber. When the Angel awoke, Then in rapture he spoke: "Thou queen of my bowers, Thou fairest of flowers, What gift shall be mine, And what guerdon be thine?" "In guerdon of duty Bestow some new beauty," She said, and then smiled, Like a mischievous child. In anger he started, But ere he departed, To rebuke the vain flower, In the pride of her power, He flung some rude moss Her fair bosom across. But her new robes of green So became the fair queen, That the Angel of flowers Mistrusted his powers, And was heard to declare He had granted her prayer.