| THE NYMPH must lose her female friend, |
|
| If more admired than she; |
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| But where will fierce contention end, |
|
| If Flowers can disagree? |
|
|
| Within the garden’s peaceful scene |
5 |
| Appeared two lovely foes, |
|
| Aspiring to the rank of Queen— |
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| The Lily and the Rose. |
|
|
| The Rose soon reddened into rage; |
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| And, swelling with disdain, |
10 |
| Appealed to many a Poet’s Page, |
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| To prove her right to reign. |
|
|
| The Lily’s height bespoke command; |
|
| A fair imperial flower, |
|
| She seemed designed for Flora’s hand, |
15 |
| The sceptre of her power! |
|
|
| This civil bick’ring and debate |
|
| The Goddess chanced to hear; |
|
| And flew to save, ere yet too late, |
|
| The pride of the parterre! |
20 |
|
| ‘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 |
25 |
| The fairest British Fair; |
|
| The seat of empire is her cheeks, |
|
| They reign united there. |