The Republican journal., 1875-01-28
The Romance Of a Rose.
ny MISS NORA PERRY.

1t is nearly hundred years ago,
Since the day that the Count de Rochalilbeau-
Our ally against the British crown
Met Washington in Newport town.
Twas the month of March, and the air was chill,
But bareheadcd over Aquldneck hill,
Guest and host they took their way.
While on either side was the grand array
Ola gallant army, French and fine.
Ranged three deep in gittering line;
Ana the French fleet with welcome roar
OF hundred guns from Connecticut shore.
And the bells rang ont from every steepe,
And from street to street the Newport people
Followed and chcered, with hearty Zesl,
DE kochambeau and his honored guest.
And women out of the windows leant,
Ana out OF the windows smiled and sent
Many coy adniring glance
To the tine Young officer OF France.
And the story goes that the belle of the town
Kissed rose and flung it down
Straight al the feet of De ROchambeau;
And the gallant marshal, bending low,
Lifted it up with a Frenchman's grace,
And kissed it back, with glance at the face
OF the daring maiden where she stood.
Flushing out OF her Silken hood.
That night at the ball. still the story goes
The Marshal of France wore a faded rose
In his gold-laced coat but he looked in vain
For the gver'S beautiful face again.
Night after night, and day after day.
lhe Frcnchnlan eagerly sought they say.
AT feast or at church. or along the street.
For the girl who flung the rose at his feet.
And She, night after night. day after day,
Was speeding farther and farther away
FROM the fatal window, the fatal street.
Where her passionate heart had suddenly beat
A throb too much for the cool control
Puritan teaches TO heart and soul;
a throb too much for the wrathfu yes
OF one who had watched in lsnayed sllriuis,
From the street below. and taking the gauge
~ WomaIl'S heart IN that moments rage,
lie swore, this old colonial squire,
That before the daylight should expire
This daughter Of his, with her wit and grace.
W It'll her dangerous heart and her beautiful iace,
Should DE on her wayto surer retreat,
Where no rose Of hers could fall at the feet
OF 4 cursed Frenchman. high or low,
And so while the Count de Roclambeau.
In his gold-laccd coat. wore "A faded flower.
And awaited the .iNer hour by hour
She was sailing away in The wild March night
ON the little deck of the sloop Delight
Guarded even in the darkness there
by lhe Wralhll eyes Of a jealous care.
Three weeks after, brig bore down
INTO the harbor of Newport town.
Towing Wreck-'tW;Is the slOop Delight
on Hampton rocks, in the very sight
OF the land She sought, she and her crew
And all on board OF her in full view
Ot the storm-bound fishermen over the bav,
Went to their doom on that April day,
When Rochambeau heard the terrible tale.
lie uttered a prayer, for moment grew pale :
Then Mon Dieu,' he exclaimed, so my line
romance
From beginning TO end is rose and Il glance
4 rose and glance, with a kiss thrown in:
That was all but enough for promise of sin,
Thought the stern old squire when he took the
gauge
~ Woman's heart in that moments rage.
50 The sad Old story comes to a close
lis century since, but the world still goes
ON the same base round, still takes the gauge
OF It's highest hearts in moments rage,