| Nicholson & Lee, eds. The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse. 1917. |
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| 372. The Mystic Rose |
| By Elsa Barker |
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| I’ WOMAN, am that wonder-breathing rose | |
| That blossoms in the garden of the King. | |
| In all the world there is no lovelier thing, | |
| And the learned stars no secret can disclose | |
| Deeper than mine—that almost no one knows. | 5 |
| The perfume of my petals in the spring | |
| Is inspiration to all bards that sing | |
| Of love, the spirit’s lyric unrepose. | |
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| Under my veil is hid the mystery | |
| Of unaccomplished aeons, and my breath | 10 |
| The Master-Lover’s life replenisheth. | |
| The mortal garment that is worn by me | |
| The loom of Time renews continually; | |
| And when I die—the universe knows death. | |
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