Where the forest and the meadows meet

Where the forest and the meadows meet

Stood my love among the roses sweet.

And her song came floating down the breeze,

While the briars clung about her knees.

"Thorns," sang she, "thorns all around I see.

Oh, if love without a thorn could be!

For his lips are like the roses soft,

But beneath his kisses thorns lurk oft!"

And she ceased; then I came gently near,

Said: "Forgive, unseen I listened, dear!

Thorns! Thorns! Oh who for thorns would care,

When the briar trails such roses bear!"