1. Beauty betrayed, no ode acclaimed it justice
No chant courted its charm, no painting rendered its glory

2. No sculpture immortalized it, though the sculptor perished engraving it
Such allure estranged even our shrines, veiling revelation from us

3. Flitting heedless by, playful and oblivious
To our words, forgetting our torment

4. Had it been just, it would reveal its allure’s secrets
And teach us, by steps, to climb its heights

5. In its coils, the stars offer no guide, no harbor for haven
If the rose knew what feelings its petals concealed

6. It would forsake its haughtiness to favor us
Though knowing our fervor, its stubbornness with coyness allures

7. How we lavished our passion, did it think tribute we paid?
Striding arrogantly over the heart, as though it were its slave

8. If it reckons fervent love brings disgrace
Its designs are foiled, and vain its deeds

9. Or it arrogates worship its beauty's warranted
But no brows bow before it at its shrine

10. Were it unique, none would have prostrated before it
Let it sail its conceit and voyage its fancy

11. No tears of ours will grace its harbors
If it prides itself on graces its Creator endowed

12. We pride ourselves on nobler stuff, should it give, we'll give
Should it wander astray, we'll pay its straying with straying

13. Love for love makes us equal, uniting us
In the shade of our meadow, or the expanse of its valley

14. Violence for violence, storm against tempest
Should it war, we'll battle; should it ease, we'll sheathe

15. Such is our way in love, answering in kind
We have learned its rebuffs, but implored not God guide it

16. What treasures of beauty it possesses our treasures will outshine
Beauty is its, but mine is a heart that bestows on the world meanings

17. Walking proudly, unaware what its brilliance treasures
That others’ brilliance obscures, though it shine their desire

18. The beholder spies the sun, and lends it
Meanings it knows not, nor intends its beam imply

19. If our secret were known, it would offer the kiss
Or the cave, arousal tempting beyond bounds

20. Thereupon art is glory, on grandeur’s stage
Where beauty and rapture meet and mingle

21. How pathetic, the flame that knows not
What we would have it learn, softening its blaze

22. That fiery body, if serenaded with our song
Would gentle its edges, and eagerly seek

23. The warmth of our fire, kindling ardor in its breast
And fire to fire, if their braziers mingled

24. Would rouse in their embers a passion to rival
Thus would the spheres regain their splendor

25. And the horizon dawn an effulgent morn well-nigh eclipsed
By God, if the planets held their course, their flock

26. Would graze in our meadow, apace to the pipes we play
In time they shall seek us, their light dimmed

27. To laud the shade in the bed of its winding stream
And sing what in rapture’s midst was inscribed

28. When we met, and ardor’s depths ignited
O beauty, proud rose in your blooming artlessness

29. How you shall rue your heedless ways
We may visit the garden, though ravaged the wanton blaze

30. Its hedge ashen, its clusters plundered and sprayed
Yet we come not for what is, but what was before

31. Once its sight delighted, today we mourn its former guise
The roses are mute, no hue or fragrance left

32. Their bloom is gone, as their water-bearer vanished
A rose's worth lies not in its making

33. But in the eye that espies its glory
The rose has withered, its color and scent turned pallid

34. Its vitality faded when its water-bearer was gone
The value of a rose lies not in the rose itself

35. But rather in the one who beholds it
Beauty has graced the cosmos ere like yours

36. Only to wane in time’s endless round
Had an ardent artist espied it, he would eternalize it

37. And augment its sublime artifice
If we but paint our yearning, it would enhance its beauty

38. Or compose a rhapsody of plaintive chords
To ignite in the world passions in nights ensconced

39. Or sculpt the rock with determination to parallel its marvel
Or sing a poem, marveling at its enchanting artifice

40. For art's glory exceeds its lofty heights
It is not its merit, but ours, that we immortalize it

41. Preserving its image like a doting keeper does his treasure
We endured adversity, yet not to possess it

42. Rather, to possess something beyond its ken
Your essence is beauty not found in another

43. That may encounter in others what it desires
The beholder spies the sun, and lends it

44. Meanings not its own, though its rays imply
If our secret were known, it would offer the kiss

45. Or the cave, seduction fanning its flame
Only then is art glory, on grandeur's stage

46. Where beauty and rapture meet and mingle
How pitiful, the flame knows not that we

47. Would have it learn, softening its blaze
That fiery body, if serenaded with our song

48. Would gentle its edges, eagerly seeking our warmth
Fire to fire, if their braziers mingled

49. Would rouse passion in their embers, rivaling their heat
Then the spheres would regain their splendor

50. And the horizon dawn a radiant morn it had well-nigh eclipsed
By God, if the planets held their course, their flock

51. Would graze in our meadow, heeding the pipes we play
In time they shall seek us out, their light dimmed

52. To laud the shade in the winding bed of its stream
And sing what in the midst of rapture was inscribed

53. When we met, and ardor's depths ignited
O splendid rose, prideful in your burgeoning charm

54. How you shall rue your heedless ways
We may visit the garden, though ravaged the wanton blaze

55. Its hedge ashen, its clusters plundered and parched
Yet we come not for what is, but for what was before