Would a Rose by another Name really smell as…

[Aisling Maguire]

I too like the way Blake presented his poem in the etching. It is sad but very striking. I love the Robbie Burns one. Thank you for recalling it. Have you heard Eddi Reader's version? It's wonderful.

[Noirin]

Thanks Aisling.

I love the Blake poem and his wife's painting (never saw that before) though so so sad.

Robert Burns to the rescue:

O my luve is like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June,

O my Luve is like the melody

That's sweetly played in tune.

So fair thou art, my bonnie lass,

So deep in Luve am I;

And I will Luve three still my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun,

I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

... last verse is even more corney so I'm stopping here!

[Aisling Maguire]

Thanks Catriona. Do keep smelling the roses! They are extraordinary flowers, and tough too. We have a bush that blooms even on Christmas day!

[Catriona MacArthur]

What a wonderfully thought-provoking and erudite commentary on the significance of the rose - past and present... never again when I smell the roses will I be quite so dismissive of their beauty, recalling the many poets and authors they have inspired across the ages. Thank you!

[Aisling Maguire]

Thank you! I don't doubt the sincerity of Romeo's ardour but perhaps Juliet's unattainability enhances her appeal for him. And yes we need stories of all kinds to help us make sense of the world . . .

[Joan costello]

Really enjoyable and fascinating read. I Do’nt believe that Romeo’s love for Juliet was anything but pure romantic love.We need these stories.