Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Scotland: Vols. VI–VIII. 1876–79.

Craigcrook Castle

Craigcrook Roses

By Gerald Massey (1828–1907)

CRAIGCROOK roses! ruby, golden,

Glowing gorgeous; faint with passion;

To the sweet flower-soul unfolden:

Wreathe me in the old Greek fashion.

Queen of sweetness, crowned with splendor,

Every rich round bud uncloses;

Yet so meek and womanly tender

Are you royal Craigcrook Roses,

Warm and winy Craigcrook Roses.

Leaning with some unknown yearning,

You would make a lover sin, you

Pretty wooers, archly turning

As you climb to make us win you.

Ripe perfection of fair fulness

In your gracious bloom reposes;

And an emerald bower for coolness

Summer builds my Craigcrook Roses,

Amorous-dreaming Craigcrook Roses.

When the year is old and hoary,

And the day is dark with dolors,

Still you come, my guests of glory,

In voluptuous dance of colors.

And, though Earth like Age is toiling

In the snowdrifts, perfumed posies

Kiss me, crown my spirit smiling

Down a dream of Craigcrook Roses,

Dear, delicious Craigcrook Roses.

Fairest ’mong Light’s daughters seven,

With your dainty dreamy graces,

You might light with loving leaven

Smiles of spring in wintriest faces.

At the solemn shut of daylight

When the fair life-vision closes,

May my spirit float away light

On a cloud of Craigcrook Roses,

Cooled and crowned with Craigcrook Roses!