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