Quote#Wisdom
Roses at first were white
Quote byRobert Herrick · 1591–1674
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Hesperides (1648), 258. "How Roses Came Red".
English (original)
Roses at first were white, Till they could not agree, Whether my Sappho's breast Or they more white should be.But, being vanquish'd quite, A blush their cheeks bespread; Since which, believe the rest, The roses first came red.
— Robert Herrick
More from Robert Herrick
To read my book the virgin shy May blush while Brutus standeth by, But when he's gone, read through what's writ, And never stain a cheek for it.
When the rose reigns, and locks with ointments shine, Let rigid Cato read these lines of mine.
I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers, Of April, May, of June and July-flowers; I sing of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal cakes; I write of youth, of love, and have access By …
I write of hell; I sing (and ever shall) Of heaven, and hope to have it after all.
In sober mornings, do not thou rehearse The holy incantation of a verse.
To get thine ends, lay bashfulness aside; Who fears to ask doth teach to be deny'd.