You call it, “Love lies bleeding,”--so you may,[255] Though the red Flower, not prostrate, only droops, As we have seen it here from day to day, From month to month, life passing not away: A flower how rich in sadness! Even thus stoops, 5 (Sentient by Grecian sculpture’s marvellous power) Thus leans, with hanging brow and body bent Earthward in uncomplaining languishment, The dying Gladiator. So, sad Flower! (’Tis Fancy guides me willing to be led, 10 Though by a slender thread,) So drooped Adonis bathed in sanguine dew Of his death-wound, when he from innocent air The gentlest breath of resignation drew; While Venus in a passion of despair 15 Rent, weeping over him, her golden hair Spangled with drops of that celestial shower. She suffered, as Immortals sometimes do; But pangs more lasting far, _that_ Lover knew Who first, weighed down by scorn, in some lone bower 20 Did press this semblance of unpitied smart Into the service of his constant heart, His own dejection, downcast Flower! could share With thine, and gave the mournful name which thou wilt ever bear. [255] Compare _Midsummer Night’s Dream_, act II. scene i. ll. 165-168.--ED. “THEY CALL IT LOVE LIES BLEEDING! RATHER SAY” The previous poem was originally composed in sonnet form; and it belongs, in that form, to the year 1833. It occurs in a MS. copy of the sonnets which record the Tour of 1833 to the Isle of Man and to Scotland.--ED. They call it Love lies bleeding! rather say That in this crimson Flower Love bleeding _droops_, A Flower how sick in sadness! Thus it stoops With languid head unpropped from day to day From month to month, life passing not away. 5 Even so the dying Gladiator leans On mother earth, and from his patience gleans Relics of tender thoughts, regrets that stay A moment and are gone. O fate-bowed flower! Fair as Adonis bathed in sanguine dew, 10 Of his death-wound, _that_ Lover’s heart was true As heaven, who pierced by scorn in some lone bower Could press thy semblance of unpitied smart Into the service of his constant heart. COMPANION TO THE FOREGOING Composed (?)[256]--Published 1845 Never enlivened with the liveliest ray That fosters growth or checks or cheers decay, Nor by the heaviest rain-drops more deprest, This Flower, that first appeared as summer’s guest, Preserves her beauty ’mid autumnal leaves 5 And to her mournful habits fondly cleaves. When files of stateliest plants have ceased to bloom, One after one submitting to their doom, When her coevals each and all are fled, What keeps her thus reclined upon her lonesome bed? 10