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The songster heard his short oration,

And warbling out his approbation,

Released him, as my story tells.

And found a supper somewhere else.

(William Cowper.)

 

ITHIN the garden's peaceful scene,

Appear'd two lovely foes,

Aspiring to the rank of queen,—

The Lily and the Rose.

The Rose soon redden'd with rage:

And swelling with disdain,

Appeal'd to many a poet's page,

To prove her right to reign.

The Lily's height bespoke command,

A fair imperial flower;

She seemed designed for Flora's hand,

The sceptre of her power.

This civil bickering and debate,

The goddess chanced to hear,

And flew to save ere yet too late,

The pride of the parterre.

