The sweetest rose it was, the loveliest

He could in all his garden find:

He brought it, saying, ‘Darling, leave your quest

Of knowledge for a little while, and rest

In sweet belief that Nature teaches best.’

Well did he speak for, blind

To deep delight that Nature gives, I was

Unquiet–soul'd a seeker for the cause

Of many a thing and, with cold eyes,

I sought to read close–folden mysteries,

Forgetting Love, not Knowledge, maketh wise.

I took his rose and laid it to my mouth.

For one sweet hour I was a girl again,

Forgot my theories form'd at cost and pain,

And all I had gone through for knowledge’ sake.

The soul of Eden fragrancy divine

Enter'd this soul of mine

And quencht its desperate drouth.

It was because I took when Love said ‘Take.’

My very brow grew smooth

For drops of spray tost from the Fount of Youth.

But woe is me!

I could not let this light and beauty be!

I pull'd the petals of my rose apart,

With fingers most unkindly tore aside

The crimson veil that veil'd its golden heart.

I saw the gold, but ah! the flower died.

And, all unwomanly, in pride,

‘Away with ignorance!’ I cried,

‘My flow'rs shall all be knowledge–bringers!

To what availeth joy unless one knows

Its why and wherefore?’

But my lover sigh'd,

‘Ah, lady, you have kill'd my rose!’

And his true eyes with unshed tears grew dim,

Because the voice that had been unto him

Sweetest among the voices of the singers,

On God's good world flung discord's bitter wrong

Instead of sweetest song.

And never now a word of love he speaks,

But talks of systems and of rules and laws,

And of effect and cause,

As learned men talk unto learned men—

And my heart inly breaks,

For oh! to be a woman once again!

So, cruel hand which could such joyaunce slay,

Lay down your pen for aye,

For you will never write those deep–ton'd songs

Of Love and Truth, to live on human tongues,

That human hearts may beat more quick and pure.