Poems (Argent)/Lilies
For works with similar titles, see Lilies.
LILIES.
"My beloved is gone down into his garden—to gather lilies."Solomon's Song.
BESIDE the garden's sunny wall My tall white lilies rise,Whereon the sunbeams love to fall From far-off orient skies;And, stainless as the dazzling snow,They wave their blossoms to and fro.
I watch my lilies day by day Unfold their buds of white,And dearest in the garden gay Are these my flowers of light,All radiantly they ever dwellOn thoughts and prayers invisible!
Their odour scatters through the air A soft thanksgiving psalm,In which I fain would come and share Such high and lofty calm.My grateful lilies! that do giveTheir fullest every day they live.
What purity and love they teach In garments without spot,As with meek looks they seem to reach Where sorrow cometh not.My virgin lilies fair and tallThat grow beside the garden wall.
I wonder not on them was laid The emblem sweet of old,And chosen type for saintly maid On whom the manifold,Great love of God was shower'd upon,—The maiden meek who bore God's Son.
Madonna-like these blossoms speak Unto each human breast,And in sad hearts with anguish weak Whisper eternal rest.Oh! pure my lilies, blowing sweetWith lifted eyes and patient feet.
Within the garden wilds on earth, Where noisome weeds and rootsChoke the poor flowers that spring to birth, Oh! spare the tender shoots! The young, young lilies of the landWho need the Master's strengthening hand.
Dear Lord, I would that I might be Within Thy garden ground,A chaste white lily grown for Thee And hedged all safe around.Oh! might I in Thy fields divineWith Christ's own light reflected shine!