You came to me bearing bright roses, 
Red like the wine of your heart; 
You twisted them into a garland 
To set me aside from the mart. 
Red roses to crown me your lover, 
And I walked aureoled and apart.

Enslaved and encircled, I bore it, 
Proud token of my gift to you. 
The petals waned paler, and shriveled, 
the thorns started through. 
er thorns to proclaim me your lover, 
A diadem woven with rue.