John Henry Newman

Here you will find the Poem Snapdragon a Riddle for a Flower Book of poet John Henry Newman

Snapdragon a Riddle for a Flower Book

'Snapdragon' a Riddle for a Flower Book 

I am rooted in the wall 
Of buttress'd tower or ancient hall; 
Prison'd in an art-wrought bed. 
Cased in mortar, cramp'd with lead; 
Of a living stock alone 
Brother of the lifeless stone. 

Else unprized, I have my worth 
On the spot that gives me birth; 
Nature's vast and varied field 
Braver flowers than me will yield, 
Bold in form and rich in hue, 
Children of a purer dew; 
Smiling lips and winning eyes 
Meet for earthly paradise. 
Choice are such,?and yet thou knowest 
Highest he whose lot is lowest. 
They, proud hearts, a home reject 
Framed by human architect; 
Humble-I can bear to dwell 
Near the pale recluse's cell, 
And I spread my crimson bloom, 
Mingled with the cloister's gloom. 
Life's gay gifts and honours rare, 
Flowers of favour! win and wear! 
Rose of beauty, be the queen 
In pleasure's ring and festive scene. 
Ivy, climb and cluster, where 
Lordly oaks vouchsafe a stair. 
Vaunt, fair Lily, stately dame, 
Pride of birth and pomp of name. 
Miser Crocus, starved with cold, 
Hide in earth thy timid gold. 
Travell'd Dahlia, freely boast 
Knowledge brought from foreign coast. 
Pleasure, wealth, birth, knowledge, power, 
These have each an emblem flower; 
So for me alone remains 
Lowly thought and cheerful pains. 
Be it mine to set restraint 
On roving wish and selfish plaint; 
And for man's drear haunts to leave 
Dewy morn and balmy eve. 
Be it mine the barren stone 
To deck with green life not its own. 
So to soften and to grace 
Of human works the rugged face. 
Mine, the Unseen to display 
In the crowded public way, 
Where life's busy arts combine 
To shut out the Hand Divine. 

Ah! no more a scentless flower, 
By approving Heaven's high power, 
Suddenly my leaves exhale 
Fragrance of the Syrian gale. 
Ah! 'tis timely comfort given 
By the answering breath of Heaven! 
May it be! then well might I 
In College cloister live and die.