HOW ROSES CAME RED.
by Robert Herrick


ROSES at first were white
    Till they could not agree,
Whether my Sappho's breast
    Or they more white should be.

But, being vanquish'd quite,
    A blush their cheeks bespread ;
Since which, believe the rest,
    The roses first came red.


Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 130.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

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