Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LILIES FOR ROSALIE by FREDERIC ROWLAND MARVIN

First Line: RAISE YOUR HEADS, YE VIRGIN LILIES
Last Line: YOU SHALL LIVE WITH ROSALIE.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; LEAVES; LILIES; VIRGINITY; VESTALS;

RAISE your heads, ye virgin lilies—
Lilies white, so chaste and free!
Bend no more with artless grace,
Mirrored in the water's face—
You shall live with Rosalie.

Lift your stems of shining silver;
Open wide your leaves to me;
You shall live, and never fade,
When you're with the fairest maid—
On the breast of Rosalie.

Lilies, hear you what I'm saying?
Fadeless glories ye shall be;
Careful, then, lest wavelets drift you;
Stopping low, I gently lift you—
You shall live with Rosalie.



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