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LILIES. 
THE WATER-LILY. 
MRS. HEMANS. 
Oh, beautiful thou art, 
Thou sculpture-like and stately River-queen 1 
Crowning the depths, as with the light serene 
Of a pure heart. 
Bright Lily of the wave! 
Rising in fearless grace, with every swell, 
Thou seem’st as if a spirit meekly brave 
Dwelt in thy cell: 
Lifting alike thy head, 
Of placid beauty, feminine yet free, 
Whether with foam or pictured azure spread 
The waters be. 
What is like thee, fair flower, 
The gentle and the firm? thus bearing up 
To the blue sky that alabaster cup, 
As to the shower? 
Oh ! Love is most like thee, 
The love of Woman; quivering to the blast 
Through every nerve, yet rooted deep and fast 
’Midst Life’s dark sea. 
