Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WHITE ROSE by WILLIAM SHARP

First Line: FAR IN THE INLAND VALLEYS
Last Line: AND THE LILY DIED.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; LILIES; ROSES; SPRING;

Far in the inland valleys
The Spring her secret tells;
The roses lift on the bushes,
The lilies shake their bells.

To a lily of the valley
A white rose leans from above:
"Little white flower o' the valley,
Come up and be my love."

To the lily of the valley
A speedwell whispers, "No!
Where the roses live are thorns;
'Tis safe below."

The lily clomb to the rose-bush;
A thorn in her side:
The white rose has wedded a red rose;
And the lily died.



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