Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/167

BEFORE THE MIRROR.

(verses written under a picture.)

inscribed to j. a. whistler.

I.

White rose in red rose-garden

Is not so white;
Snowdrops that plead for pardon
And pine for fright
Because the hard East blows
Over their maiden rows
Grow not as this face grows from pale to bright.

Behind the veil, forbidden,
Shut up from sight,
Love, is there sorrow hidden,
Is there delight?
Is joy thy dower or grief,
White rose of weary leaf,
Late rose whose life is brief, whose loves are light?