the last rose of summer

'tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone

all her lovely companions are faded and gone

no flower of her kindred

no rosebud is nigh

to reflect back her blushes and give sigh for sigh

i'll not leave thee

thou lone one

to pine on the stem

since the lovely are sleeping

go sleep thou with them

thus kindly i scatter thy leaves o'er the bed

where thy mates of the garden lie scentless and dead

so soon may i follow when friendships decay

and from love's shining circle the gems drop away

when true hearts lie withered and fond ones are flown

oh who would inhabit this bleak world alone?

this bleak world alone