THE NYMPH must lose her female friend, |
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If more admired than she; |
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But where will fierce contention end, |
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If Flowers can disagree? |
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Within the garden’s peaceful scene |
5 |
Appeared two lovely foes, |
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Aspiring to the rank of Queen— |
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The Lily and the Rose. |
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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. |
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The Lily’s height bespoke command; |
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A fair imperial flower, |
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She seemed designed for Flora’s hand, |
15 |
The sceptre of her power! |
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This civil bick’ring and debate |
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The Goddess chanced to hear; |
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And flew to save, ere yet too late, |
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The pride of the parterre! |
20 |
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‘Yours is,’ she said, ‘the noblest hue; |
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And yours, the statelier mien; |
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And, till a third surpasses you, |
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Let each be deemed a Queen!’ |
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Thus soothed and reconciled, each seeks |
25 |
The fairest British Fair; |
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The seat of empire is her cheeks, |
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They reign united there. |