Christina Rossetti

Dec 5, 1830 - Dec 29, 1894

 

Song

by Christina Rossetti

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.

Source:

Goblin Market and Other Poems
Copyright 1865
Macmillan And Co.London and Cambridge