Beauty Is Vain
While roses are so red,While lilies are so white,Shall a woman exalt her faceBecause it gives delight?She’s not so sweet as a rose,A lily’s straighter than she,And if she were as red or whiteShe’d be but one of three.
Whether she flush in love’s summerOr in its winter grow pale, 10Whether she flaunt her beautyOr hide it away in a veil,Be she red or white,And stand she erect or bowed,Time will win the race he runs with herAnd hide her away in a shroud.