The Lily and the Rose
William Cowper
1731 to 1800
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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Let each be deemed a queen.
And, till a third surpasses you,
And, swelling with disdain,
The fairest British fair:
Within the garden's peaceful scene
This civil bick'ring and debate
And flew to save, ere yet too late,
The pride of the parterre.
If flowers can disagree.
Yours is, she said, the nobler hue,
Thus, soothed and reconciled, each seeks
The Lily's height bespoke command,
The sceptre of her power.
The Lily and the Rose.
And yours the statelier mien;
She seem'd designed for Flora's hand,
The nymph must lose her female friend,
Appear'd two lovely foes,
The Rose soon redden'd into rage,
To prove her right to reign.
Appeal'd to many a poet's page
The goddess chanced to hear,
A fair imperial flower;
They reign united there.
Aspiring to the rank of queen,
But where will fierce contention end,
If more admired than she—
The seat of empire is her cheeks,