Poems (Stephens)/The lily of the valley
For works with similar titles, see The Lily of the Valley.
THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.
Purest lily of the valley,
Sweetest flowret that I know,
Welcome, in thy simple beauty,
Leaves so dark, and bells like snow:
Sweetest flowret that I know,
Welcome, in thy simple beauty,
Leaves so dark, and bells like snow:
Thriving most when thou art hidden
From the careless gazer's eye—
Gaudy neighbors win attention,
Charms like thine are passed by,
From the careless gazer's eye—
Gaudy neighbors win attention,
Charms like thine are passed by,
Till thy fragrance, ever seeming
Like a breath from heaven above,
Draws them back, to look upon thee,
Only to admire and love.
Like a breath from heaven above,
Draws them back, to look upon thee,
Only to admire and love.
So some unobtrusive spirits,
Too much dreading worldly glare,
Seek some quiet nook of Nature—
Dwell unknown, unheeded there.
Too much dreading worldly glare,
Seek some quiet nook of Nature—
Dwell unknown, unheeded there.
Minds resplendent in their beauty,
Hearts the world would joy to know,
Scatter blessings upon mortals
All unmindful whence they flow.
Hearts the world would joy to know,
Scatter blessings upon mortals
All unmindful whence they flow.