The White Rose

Anonymous

Sent by a Yorkish Lover to His Lancastrian Mistress

IF this fair rose offend thy sight,

Placed in thy bosom bare,

’T will blush to find itself less white,

And turn Lancastrian there.

But if thy ruby lip it spy,

As kiss it thou mayest deign,

With envy pale ’t will lose its dye,

And Yorkish turn again.