The Camellia by Honore de Balzac

In Nature's poem flowers have each their word 
 
The rose of love and beauty sings alone;
 
The violet's soul exhales in tenderest tone;

The lily's one pure simple note heard.

The cold Camellia only, stiff and white,

Rose without perfume, lily without grace,

When chilling winter shows his icy face,

Blooms for a world that vainly seeks delight.

Yet, in a theatre, or ball-room light,

I gladly see Camellias shining bright 

Above some stately woman's raven hair,

Whose noble form fulfills the heart's desire,

Like Grecian marbles warmed by Phidian fire.

"La Camelia " por Honoré de Balzac

La Camelia.

Cada flor habla de la Natura.
La rosa es amor, celebra belleza,
la violeta es un alma simple y pura
y el lirio resplandece en su realeza

La Camelia, monstruo de la cultura,
rosa sin ambrosía lirio sin simpleza,
parece marchitarse en la frescura
de la virginidad y su fineza.

Sin embargo, ante los palcos del teatro
gusto de ver sus pétalos de alabrastro
corona de pudor, blancas camelias,

Entre el pelo negro de bellas mujeres
que a las almas inspiran puros quereres
como los mármoles negros de Fidias.