Augusta Webster

White Rose and Red

WHITE rose sighed in the morn,
   Red rose laughed in the noon,
   And "Sweetest sweetness is ended soon,"
And "Never heed for the thorn."

"Love's hour passes away,"
   White rose breathed in my ear;
   Red rose whispered "No need to fear;
The day is enough for day."

Shall I heed white or red?
   Shall I heed both aright?
   Sighing and laughing, red and white,
'Tis "Love her" they both have said.