Stilj). 67 
Lil y....M ajesty. 
The Lily's height and beauty speak command. The 
Jews imitated its form in the decorations of their first 
magnificent temple; and Christ described it as more 
splendid than King Solomon in his most gorgeous ap¬ 
parel. According to ancient mythology, there was 
originally but one species of Lily, and that was orange- 
coloured; and the white was produced by the following 
circumstance:—Jupiter, wishing to render Hercules 
immortal, prevailed on Juno to take a deep draught of 
nectar, which threw the queen into a profound sleep. 
Jupiter then placed the infant Hercules at her breast, 
so that the divine milk might ensure immortality. 
Hercules drew the milk faster than he could swallow 
it, and some drops fell to the-earth, from which imme¬ 
diately sprang the White Lily. 
Flowers of the fairest. 
And gems of the rarest, 
I find and I gather in country or town; 
But one is still wanting, 
Oh! where is it haunting? 
The bud and the jewel must make up my crown. 
Thou pearl of the deep sea 
That flows in my heart free, 
Thou rock-planted*Lily, come hither, or send; 
Mid flowers of the fairest, 
And gems of the rarest, 
I miss thee, I seek thee, my own parted friend! 
M. J. Jewsbury. 
I 
