Three Flowers

I made a little song about the rose And sang it for the rose to hear, Nor ever marked until the music's close A lily that was listening near.

The red red rose flushed redder with delight, And like a queen her head she raised. The white white lily blanched a paler white, For anger that she was not praised.

Turning I left the rose unto her pride, The lily to her enviousness, And soon upon the grassy ground espied A daisy all companionless.

Doubtless no flattered flower is this, I deemed; And not so graciously it grew As rose or lily: but methought it seemed More thankful for the sun and dew.

Dear love, my sweet small flower that grew'st among The grass, from all the flowers apart,-- Forgive me that I gave the rose my song, Ere thou, the daisy, hadst my heart!