Read "Roses and Lilies" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Roses and Lilies, both are sweet; / Lily and Rose, both are fair; / But which to gather for mine alway, / Which to gather, and keep, and wear, / That is the question that bothers me, / For I cannot wear them both, you see.
Rose is the brightest and blithest of girls: / I could lay my heart at her tiny feet, / And gaze forever in those dark eyes, / And kiss forever those lips so sweet. / And holding her soft, white, clinging hand, / Dreamily float into Eden land.
And Lily -- Lily, my ocean pearl, / So sweetly tender, so moonlight fair, / I could float to heaven upon her smile, / And kiss forever her silken hair, / That droppeth down, like a golden veil / Over her cheek, and brow -- snow pale.
Lilies and Roses -- both are fair: / Rose, or Lily, which shall it be? / I love them both with my heart of hearts. / But I cannot wed them both, you see. / Dark-eyed Rose, my winsome girl -- / Moon-faced Lily, my ocean pearl.