The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/How Roses Came Red
258. HOW ROSES CAME RED.
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.