THE
LILY
AND
THE
ROSE
.
1.
THE
nymph
must
lose
her
female
friend
If
more
admir'd
than
she
—
But
where
will
fierce
contention
end
If
flowr's
can
disagree
?
2.
Within
the
garden's
peaceful
scene
Appear'd
two
lovely
foes
,
Aspiring
to
the
rank
of
queen
,
The
lily
and
the
rose
.
3.
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
.
4.
The
lily's
height
bespoke
command
,
A
fair
imperial
flow'r
,
She
seem'd
design'd
for
Flora's
hand
,
The
sceptre
of
her
pow'r
.
5.
This
civil
bick'ring
and
debate
The
goddess
chanc'd
to
hear
,
And
flew
to
save
,
e'er
yet
too
late
,
The
pride
of
the
parterre
.
6.
Your's
is
,
she
said
,
the
nobler
hue
,
And
your's
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
.