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A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

The Prince’s Birthday—Rome, 31st December, 1721

Andrew Lang

(A new-born star shone, which is figured on an early Medal of
Prince Charles.)


A wonderful star shone forth
From the frozen skies of the North
Upon Rome, for an Old Year’s night:
And a flower on the dear white Rose
Broke, in the season of snows,
To bloom for a day’s delight.

Lost is the star in the night,
And the Rose of a day’s delight
Fled “where the roses go”:
But the fragrance and light from afar,
Born of the Rose and the Star,
Breathe o’er the years and the snow.
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From New Collected Rhymes | Longmans, Green and Co., 1905
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