| John Boyle O’Reilly. 1844–1890 |
| A White Rose |
| THE red rose whispers of passion, | |
| And the white rose breathes of love; | |
| O the red rose is a falcon, | |
| And the white rose is a dove. | |
| But I send you a cream-white rosebud | 5 |
| With a flush on its petal tips; | |
| For the love that is purest and sweetest | |
| Has a kiss of desire on the lips. |
