78 Tall Bearded Iris 



Lilia virgines tuta sub ense nitent [Beneath the 

 maiden's sword the Lilies safely bloom]. 



A particularly noticeable illustration of such use of 

 "Lily" is found in Longfellow's poem, "Flower-de- 

 Luce" (see pages 48 and 49). 



It is believed by many that the Iris is one of the 

 flowers referred to as "Lilies of the field", in Scripture: 



Consider the lilies of the field, 

 how they grow; they toil not, 

 neither do they spin; 

 And yet I say unto you, that 

 Solomon in all his glory was not 

 arrayed like one of these. 



Matthew VI: 28-29. 



Observe the rising lily's snowy grace, 



Observe the various vegetable race; 



They neither toil, nor spin, but careless grow, 



Yet see how warm they blush! how bright they glow! 



What regal vestments can with them compare! 



What king so shining! or what queen so fair! 



Young: Verses 28-29 of Matthew VI, paraphrased. 



Further as to the name "Lily", see under Use of 

 Name and Figure in Chapter III. 



