Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight , and soared into the air . She passed through the grove like a shadow , and like a shadow she sailed across the garden . In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree , and when she saw it she flew over to it , and lit upon a spray . `` Give me a red rose , '' she cried , `` and I will sing you my sweetest song . '' But the Tree shook its head . `` My roses are white , '' it answered ; `` as white as the foam of the sea , and whiter than the snow upon the mountain . But go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial , and perhaps he will give you what you want . '' So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sun-dial . `` Give me a red rose , '' she cried , `` and I will sing you my sweetest song . '' But the Tree shook its head . `` My roses are yellow , '' it answered ; `` as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne , and yellower than the daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe . But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student 's window , and perhaps he will give you what you want . '' So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student 's window . `` Give me a red rose , '' she cried , `` and I will sing you my sweetest song . '' But the Tree shook its head . `` My roses are red , '' it answered , `` as red as the feet of the dove , and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern . But the winter has chilled my veins , and the frost has nipped my buds , and the storm has broken my branches , and I shall have no roses at all this year . '' `` One red rose is all I want , '' cried the Nightingale , `` only one red rose ! Is there no way by which I can get it ? '' `` There is away , '' answered the Tree ; `` but it is so terrible that I dare not tell it to you . ''
`` Tell it to me , '' said the XXXXX , `` I am not afraid . ''
Nightingale Student centre daffodil grass-plot mermaiden mower ocean-cavern scythe storm