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The Rose
Christina Rossetti

The lily has a smooth stalk,
 Will never hurt your hand;
But the rose upon her brier
 Is lady of the land.

There's sweetness in an apple tree,
 And profit in the corn;
But lady of all beauty
 Is a rose upon a thorn.

When with moss and honey
 She tips her bending brier,
And half unfolds her glowing heart,
 She sets the world on fire.

Editor: Jim Bender
Last modified: Monday, August 13th, 2007
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