How Roses Came Red

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) (1591โ€“1674)

The Hesperides & Noble Numbers โ€” Hesperides

Roses at first were white,Till they could not agree,Whether my Sappho's breastOr they more white should be.

But, being vanquish'd quite,A blush their cheeks bespread;Since which, believe the rest,The roses first came red.