Christina Rossetti — Once for All

                        (Margaret.) I said: This is a beautiful fresh rose.         I said: I will delight me with its scent,          Will watch its lovely curve of languishment, Will watch its leaves unclose, its heart unclose. I said: Old Earth has put away her snows,         All living things make merry to their bent,          A flower is come for every flower that went In autumn; the sun glows, the south wind blows. So walking in a garden of delight         I came upon one sheltered shadowed nook Where broad leaf shadows veiled the day with night,          And there lay snow unmelted by the sun:-- I answered: Take who will the path I took,         Winter nips once for all; love is but one.