Poems (Rice)/Impromptu for a Gift of Roses

by Maria Theresa Rice

IMPROMPTU FOR A GIFT OF ROSES.

A ROSE has magic in its leaves,
 Or in its petals I should say;
A spell around my heart it weaves,
 Sweet lady, then be chary, pray.

This offering is sweet and fair,
 Which thou on me dost now bestow;
Its dewy fragrance seems so rare,
 How to describe I hardly know—

Or how to thank thee for thy gift,
 So freely to a stranger given;
I sometimes think that angels dwell
 Upon the earth the same as heaven.