Classic Poem

I am the Rose, the promise of the spring
That winter's frosty chains, so withering,
Cannot avail, whate'er their power be,
To hold the soul for aye in slavery.

A messenger to spirits bowed in care,
The hopeless and oppressed, am I, and rare
The message that I spread throughout the land —
" Hold fast thy Faith! Release is close at hand! "

A messenger of Love, likewise, am I.
I hold the kiss of sun, the zephyr's sigh;
The loving whisper of the breeze that fills
The lonely heart with life's divinest thrills!

And they that pass along the thorny way,
Their fortunes fallen on an evil day,
Despite my flaunting pride, they call me good
Because my friendly nod speaks brotherhood!

The glowing colors of the dawn are mine.
The gloried hues of sunset all combine
To clothe me in a vestiture all blent
With peace, and joy, and rapture, and content!

And when the fragrance of my presence seeks
The spring and summer air, it but bespeaks
The meed of all, in sorrow or in mirth,
The everlasting sweetness of the earth!