The Last Rose of Summer

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

or 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?