Poem#Happiness
The Three Roses
Poem byWalter Savage Landor · 1775–1864
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Text from PoetryDB's public-domain archive; not yet checked against a printed edition.
English (original)
When the buds began to burst, Long ago, with Rose the First I was walking; joyous then Far above all other men, Till before us up there stood Britonferry's oaken wood, Whispering, "Happy as thou art, Happiness and thou must part." Many summers have gone by Since a Second Rose and I (Rose from the same stem) have told This and other tales of old. She upon her wedding day Carried home my tenderest lay: From her lap I now have heard Gleeful, chirping, Rose the Third. Not for her this hand of mine Rhyme with nuptial wreath shall twine; Cold and torpid it must lie, Mute the tongue, and closed the eye.
— Walter Savage Landor
More from Walter Savage Landor
On His Eightieth Birthday
To my ninth decade I have tottered on, And no soft arm bends now my steps to steady; She, who once led me where she would, is gone, So when he calls me, Death shall find me ready.
In spring and summer winds may blow
In spring and summer winds may blow, And rains fall after, hard and fast; The tender leaves, if beaten low, Shine but the more for shower and blast
One Lovely Name
One lovely name adorns my song, And, dwelling in the heart, Forever falters at the tongue, And trembles to depart.
Child of a Day
Child of a day, thou knowest not The tears that overflow thy urn, The gushing eyes that read thy lot, Nor, if thou knewest, couldst return!
Mother, I cannot mind my Wheel
MOTHER, I cannot mind my wheel; My fingers ache, my lips are dry: O, if you felt the pain I feel! But O, who ever felt as I?
On an Eclipse of the Moon
Struggling, and faint, and fainter didst thou wane, O Moon! and round thee all thy starry train Came forth to help thee, with half-open eyes, And trembled every one with still surprise,