And see this thing of beauty that I plucked like a jewel from
its stem. But this thing of splendour is also a sorrow to me, for though its magnificence
cannot be doubted by my selfish deed have I plucked out the eye from the face
of the rose. And then is it a worthwhile theft to treasure so briefly a thing
of loveliness within the hand and watch it swift to its fading? Or is it better,
to gaze and be enchanted by its fragrant charms as it sits upon its thorny structure
till it wanes and fails as nature intended. And then knowing that is so, gaze at
this flower you have stolen and wish all you may, but you cannot put it back and
therein lies the greatest lesson we will ever learn.
