Raleigh's aria -- God grant that I before I die -- 1902

Speranza 1902 Walter Raleigh’s Aria. Dan Cupid hath a garden where women are the flow'rs, and lovers' laughs and lovers' tears the sunshine and the show'rs. and oh! the sweetest blossom that in the garden grows, the fairest queen, it is , I ween, the perfect English rose, the fairest queen, it is , I ween, the perfect, the perfect English rose. let others make a garland of ev'ry flow'r that blows! but I will wait till I may pluck my dainty English rose. in perfume, grace, and beauty, the rose doth stand apart, god grant that I, before I die, may wear one on my heart! god grant that I, before I die, may wear one, may wear one on my heart. From: “Merrie England”