CHAPTER VIII 



ROSES AND LILIES 



Apaet from their high place of standing in our gardens 

 and in our hearts, the Rose and the Lily are, of all 

 familiar flowers, the two that for many centuries have 

 been given a special degree of prominent distinction in 

 matters altogether outside the domain of horticulture. 

 For throughout the history of the civilised world 

 within the last thousand years, the Rose and the Lily 

 occur again and again, in closest bond with the most 

 vital of human interests, and always in association 

 with something worthy of fame or glory, whether in 

 religion, in politics, or as devices of honour carried 

 on the shields of those found worthy to bear 

 them. 



In our own history, the Rose of England and the 

 Lilies of France, how often have they played their part, 

 whether in the crimson field of blood or in the golden 

 field of peaceful amity ! And though the Rose of 

 England was not actually blazoned upon the shield 

 of her kings, yet it has occurred so frequently among 

 their badges that it is of distinct heraldic significance, 

 and has stood for centuries as our national emblem. 

 These two flowers may well be the badges of two noble 



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