by Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)

Language: English 
Our translations:  SPA
The lily has a smooth stalk,
  Will never hurt your hand;
But the rose upon her briar
  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 briar,
And half unfolds her glowing heart,
  She sets the world on fire.

Composition:

    Set to music by Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978), "The rose", <<2017 [ SATB chorus, piano, optional string quartet ]

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Elisa Rapado) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2006-01-27
Line count: 12
Word count: 66