Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862)/Song ("Oh roses for the flush of youth")

For works with similar titles, see Song.
9929Goblin Market and Other Poems — Song ("Oh roses for the flush of youth")Christina Rossetti

SONG

Oh roses for the flush of youth,
And laurel for the perfect prime;
But pluck an ivy branch for me
Grown old before my time.

Oh violets for the grave of youth,
And bay for those dead in their prime;
Give me the withered leaves I chose
Before in the old time.