A Rose Will Fade

You were always a dreamer, Rose, red Rose, As you swung on your perfumed spray. Swinging, and all the world was true, Swaying, what did it trouble you ? A rose will fade in a day.

Why did you smile to his face, red Rose, As he whistled across your way ? And all the world went mad for you, All the world it knelt to woo. A rose will bloom in a day.

I gather your petals. Rose, red Rose, The petals he threw away. And all the world derided you ; Ah ! the world, how well it knew A rose will fade in a day.