THE ROSE TO THE ROSE UPON THE ROOD OF TIME i{Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!} i{Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:} i{Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;} i{The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,} i{Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;} i{And thine own sadness, where of stars, grown old} i{In dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,} i{Sing in their high and lonely melody.} i{Come near, that no more blinded hy man's fate,} i{I find under the boughs of love and hate,} i{In all poor foolish things that live a day,} i{Eternal beauty wandering on her way.} i{Come near, come near, come near -- Ah, leave me still} i{A little space for the rose-breath to fill!} i{Lest I no more bear common things that crave;} i{The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,} i{The field-mouse running by me in the grass,} i{And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;} i{But seek alone to hear the strange things said} i{By God to the bright hearts of those long dead,} i{And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.} i{Come near; I would, before my time to go,} i{Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:} i{Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.}