XLII.
“The virgin has her image in the rose[11]
“Sheltered in garden on its native stock,
“Which there in solitude and safe repose,
“Blooms unapproached by shepherd or by flock.
“For this earth teems, and freshening water flows,
“And breeze and dewy dawn their sweets unlock:
“With such the wishful youth his bosom dresses,
“With such the enamoured damsel braids her tresses.
XLIII.
“But wanton hands no sooner this displace
“From the maternal stem, where it was grown,
“Than all is withered; whatsoever grace
“It found with man or heaven; bloom, beauty, gone.
“The damsel who should hold in higher place
“Than light or life the flower which is her own,
“Suffering the spoiler’s hand to crop the prize,
“Forfeits her worth in every other’s eyes.
XLIV.
“And be she cheap with all except the wight
“On whom she did so large a boon bestow.
“Ah! false and cruel Fortune! foul despite!
“While others triumph, I am drown’d in woe.
“And can it be that I such treasure slight?
“And can I then my very life forego?
“No! let me die; ’twere happiness above
“A longer life, if I must cease to love.”
