This poem was written whilst the Irish poet was staying at Jenkinstown Castle in County Kilkenny in 1805. It has been a source of inspiration for a number of musical compositions.
'Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred,
No rose-bud is nigh.
To reflect back her blushes
Or give sigh for sigh!
I'll not leave thee, thou one alone.
To pine on the stem;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them;
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves o'er the bed
Where thy mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.
So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay.
And from love's shining circle
The gems drop away!
When true hearts lie withered
And fond ones are flown.
Oh! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone?
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