Classic Poem

" O SISTER , " the white rose said to the red,
" Could only my face be as bright as thine!
I am pale. Could I only be pink instead,
I would lift to the sunlight my beautiful head,
And never be weary, or weep, or pine! "

" O sister, " the red rose said to the white,
" Could only my face be as pale as thine!
I am doomed to be gathered to-night, to-night, —
I shall faint at a ball in the hot gas-light,
While you will be glad in the cool moonshine. "

" Ah! sister, " the white rose sighed to the red,
" You are wrong, you are wrong, and the truth is mine.
Far better than life in the dull flower-bed
It is to be worshipped, and then to fall dead
Where live hearts flutter, and gay lights shine. "