by Caroline Symmons (1789 - 1803)

Zelida and the faded Rosebush, which...
Language: English 
I gaz'd on the rosebush, and heav'd a sad sigh, 
  And my eyelid was gemm'd with a tear; 
Oh ! let me, I cried, by my Zelida lie, 
  For all that I value sleeps here. 

Her sweetness, simplicity, virtue, and charms, 
  Could with nought but a seraph's compare.
Ah! now, since my Zelida's torn from my arms,
  There is nothing I love but despair. 

This rosebush once flourish'd and sweeten'd the air,
  Like its blossom, all lovely, she grew; 
The scent of her breath, as its fragrance, was rare,
  And her cheeks were more fresh than its hue. 

She planted, she lov'd it, she dew'd its gay head, 
  And its bloom every rival defied;
But, alas! what was beauty or virtue soon fled --
  In spring they both blossom'd and died. 

And now for my bosom this life has no charms,
  I feel all its troubles and care:
For since my dear Zelida's rent from my arms,
  There is nothing I love but despair.

Confirmed with The Eclectic Review, Vol. IX. From January to June 1813, inclusive, London: Gale, Curtis, and Fenner, pages 624-625. The poem is preceded by the indication "The sister speaks." and ends with a reference to "pp. 37-38" in the following volume cited at the top of page 624: Poems. by Caroline Symmons, and Charles Symmons, DD. Author of the Life of Milton. 8vo. pp. 412. Price 12s. Johnson and Co. 1812." Note: three repeats of a typo have been corrected in stanza 3, line 2, word 2; stanza 3, line 3, word 7; and and stanza 5, line 2, word 4 ("it's" -> "its")


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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

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Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in English, [adaptation] ; composed by Mary Southcote.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2024-01-02
Line count: 20
Word count: 162