Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LILY AND THE ROSE, by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The nymph must lose her female friend Last Line: They reign united there. Subject(s): Flowers; Great Britain; Lilies; Roses | ||||||||
THE nymph must lose her female friend If more admired than she-- But where will fierce contention end, If flowers can disagree? Within the garden's peaceful scene Appeared two lovely foes, Aspiring to the rank of Queen, The Lily and the Rose. The Rose soon reddened into rage, And, swelling with disdain, Appealed to many a poet's page To prove her right to reign. The Lily's height bespoke command, A fair imperial flower; She seemed designed for Flora's hand, The sceptre of her power. This civil bickering and debate The goddess chanced to hear, And flew to save, ere yet too late, The pride of the parterre. Yours is, she said, the noblest hue, And yours the statelier mien; And, till a third surpasses you, Let each be deemed a queen. Thus soothed and reconciled, each seeks The fairest British fair; The seat of empire is her cheeks, They reign united there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHISPER OF THE ROSE by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG THE WISDOM OF THE ROSE by ELSA BARKER LOVE PLANTED A ROSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES ROSES; A VILANELLE by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON THE PAINTER ON SILK by AMY LOWELL VARIATIONS: 17 by CONRAD AIKEN WORDS IN A CERTAIN APPROPRIATE MODE by HAYDEN CARRUTH A COMPARISON by WILLIAM COWPER |
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