The Lily and the Rose

William Cowper

1731 to 1800

Poem Image
Track 1

Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.

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But where will fierce contention end,
And flew to save, ere yet too late,
The seat of empire is her cheeks,
A fair imperial flower;
The Lily's height bespoke command,
Appear'd two lovely foes,
The sceptre of her power.
To prove her right to reign.
This civil bick'ring and debate
She seem'd designed for Flora's hand,
Within the garden's peaceful scene
And yours the statelier mien;
If flowers can disagree.
And, swelling with disdain,
They reign united there.
The fairest British fair:
And, till a third surpasses you,
Thus, soothed and reconciled, each seeks
Yours is, she said, the nobler hue,
Appeal'd to many a poet's page
Aspiring to the rank of queen,
The pride of the parterre.
The nymph must lose her female friend,
The Lily and the Rose.
The Rose soon redden'd into rage,
Let each be deemed a queen.
If more admired than she—
The goddess chanced to hear,