Poems (David)/The Rose

For works with similar titles, see The Rose.
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THE ROSE.
IS there a rose which hath no thorn The ruthless hand, alas! to wound?Or evil thought that e'er was born But stamped its nameless terrors soon?
And so each sin, in tempting guise To sorrow swift alone leads on;Its mild alluring form belies The sharp and hidden thorns beyond!
The rose she is a subtle queen, Her courtly bower with evil filled;Though her gay leaves spring fresh and green, They own, alas! no generous will.
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And so sin blithely leads us on Along a smooth and flowering way!We start to find our hope is gone Amidst the darkness and decay!
Deceitful world! thy pleasures are But as the vain and crumbling dust;Oh! where the form on earth or star, The human heart can simply trust!
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