The Lily and the Rose

12

The Lily and the Rose

by William Cowper

THE nymph must lose her female friend,

If more admired than she-

But where will fierce contention end

If flow'rs can disagree?

Within the garden's peaceful scene

Appear'd two lovely foes,

Aspiring to the rank of queen-

The Lily and the Rose.

The Rose soon redden'd into rage,

And, swelling with disdain,

Appeal'd to many a poet's page

To prove her right to reign.

The Lily's height bespoke command-

A fair imperial flow'r;

She seem'd designed for Flora's hand,

The sceptre of her pow'r.

The civil bick'ring and debate

The goddess chanc'd to hear,

And flew to save, ere yet too late,

The pride of the parterre.-

Yours is, she said, the nobler hue,

And yours the statelier mien,

And, till a third surpasses you,

Let each be deem'd a queen.

Thus, sooth'd and reconcil'd, each seeks

The fairest British fair;

The seat of empire is her cheeks,

They reign united there.

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