By Anonymous
Date: 13 October 1998

Take Thou This Rose

Take thou this rose, O Rose,
Since Love's own flower it is,
And by that rose
Thy lover captive is.

Smell thou this rose, O Rose,
And know thyself as sweet
As dawn is sweet.

Look on this rose, O Rose,
And looking laugh on me,
And in thy laughter's ring
The nightengale shall sing.

Kiss thou this rose, O Rose,
That I may know the scarlet of thy mouth.

O Rose, this painted rose
Is not the whole,
Who paints the flower
Paints not its fragrant soul.



Author: Anonymous   
From:   Carmina Burana
Bavaria - Late 12th century