Some people praise red roses
But I beg leave to say
That I prefer red noses ---
Red noses are so gay.

À Kempis says we must not cling
To things that fade away.
Red noses last a lifetime
Red roses but a day.

Red roses blow but thrice a year,
In June, July and May.
But those who have red noses
Can blow them every day.

-------Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners