The Bird and the Rose

A rose that bloomed in a desert land

Sighed in her loneliness;

A little bird that was singing near

Was touched by her distress.

“Why are you sad, sweet rose?” he said,

“Why do you weep and sigh?”

“Ah!” said the rose “if I had wings

To other lands I'd fly.”

“Why do you linger here, dear bird,

When you might fly away?”

“Because I love your scent, sweet rose,

In this lone land I stay.

I linger in this solitude,

To cheer you with my song.”

“Ah! little bird, bear me away,

Your spreading wings are strong.”

The little bird raised the sweet rose

And spread his pinions fair;

He flew away across the sea

Through the bright summer air.

But when he reached his nest at last

He sang a sadder lay;

His joy was hushed. The lovely rose

Was faded quite away.