98 
THE WHITE WATER LILY, 
THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS. 
Oh ! vainly seek ye, ’mid the garden’s store, 
For one Flower so pre-eminently fair 
O’er all the rest, that right of sovereignty 
Must seem her heritage. The Rose is hright. 
And wondrous fi’agrant; yet the Woodbine sheds. 
From her long bloomy streamers, breath as sweet. 
And on them both the Violet might turn 
Her soft blue eye in gentlest reproach, 
That perfume such as hers should he o’erpast. 
E’en the white maiden Jasmine, in her pride. 
Would take the hue of jealousy, and turn 
To envious yellow her complexion pure. 
Were she deemed than the rest less fit to reign. 
Seek not the Floral Queen among them all: — 
But leaving far behind the garden trim. 
And shining palaces, where dwell the bright 
Sun-worshippers of many a fervid clime. 
Go to the lake’s o’ershadowed margent, where. 
Over the waves, like fairy-car^iets spread 
For summer revelrie, lie leaves afloat. 
