THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSE.

See a beautiful rose just unfolding Breathing its fragrance on the summer air, While on the emerald green at its feet A modest blue violet bloomed so fair; And thought oh how happy the rose must be Queen of the garden, nodding gracefully. But there is ne’er a rose without its thorns While on its beauty we may always gaze If we go near why we must have a care Or those thorns will pierce while still we may praise. Then the rose bending low her stately head Kissed the sweet violet tender and true As a pearly tear from her petals fell, On the violet’s lips bedecked with dew, And said, “Little flower contented be. No thorns probe your side, nodding gracefully.”