Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RIVAL QUEENS; AN APOLOGUE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RIVAL QUEENS; AN APOLOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A damask rose and a lily white
Last Line: "hath some that we have not!"
Subject(s): Flowers


A DAMASK Rose and a Lily white,
Each lovely as ever was known,
Grew doubly red and pale with spite
Concerning the floral throne.

For some declared the Lily was queen;
While others, as firm as those,
Said, "No! just look at her languid mien;
Our sovereign shall be the Rose!"

"A queen," said the friends of the ruddy Rose,
"The royal purple should wear;"
"A queen," 't was answered, "every one knows,
Should -- like the Lily -- be fair!"

The quarrel was bitter and long and loud,
And all for battle were fain;
No wonder, I ween, the Rose grew proud;
No wonder the Lily grew vain!

And so, for many a hateful day
And many an angry week
They tossed their heads in a scornful way,
And both refused to speak.

Until, one day, with the golden morn,
The slumbering Rose awoke,
And, all ashamed of her recent scorn,
To her rival kindly spoke.

"O lovely Lily!" exclaimed the Rose;
"What boots it, lady, that we
Should stand and stare like foolish foes,
Who were wont good friends to be?"

"Ah! why, indeed?" the Lily replied,
As toward the other she bends
With a graceful nod, "'T is pity that pride
Should sever the best of friends!

"And I've been thinking," the Lily went on,
"That not by arrogant claims
A true nobility best is shown,
But in noble acts and aims."

"And I've been thinking," the Rose returned,
"For all our pride of race,
In every flower may be discerned
Some sweet, peculiar grace.

"Though Rose be red, and Lily be fair
With all the charms we've got,
The humblest flower in field or bower
Hath some that we have not!"





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