Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / January 2004

Red Rose)

This is not by Robert Burns, but from _Fawnia_ by Robert Green. You also
missed out a word. It is better to post more context than just the line that
interests you. I will leave the explanation to those more qualified. m.

 AH! were she pitiful as she is fair,
 Or but as mild as she is seeming so,
 Then were my hopes greater than my despair,
 Then all the world were heaven, nothing woe.
 Ah! were her heart relenting as her hand,
 That seems to melt even with the mildest touch,
 Then knew I where to seat me in a land
 Under wide heavens, but yet there is not such.

 *So as she shows she seems the budding rose,
 Yet sweeter far than is an earthly flower;*

 Sovran of beauty, like the spray she grows;
 Compass'd she is with thorns and canker'd flower.
      Yet were she willing to be pluck'd and worn,
      She would be gather'd, though she grew on thorn.