THE PRINCE'S BIRTHDAY — ROME, 31ST DECEMBER, 1721

By Andrew Lang

A wonderful star shone forth

From the frozen skies of the North

Upon Rome, for an Old Year's night:

And a flower on the dear white Rose

Broke, in the season of snows,

To bloom for a day's delight.

Lost is the star in the night,

And the Rose of a day's delight

Fled “where the roses go ":

But the fragrance and light from afar,

Born of the Rose and the Star,

Breathe o'er the years and the snow.