The Legend of the Lily

Once a Tiger for a freak,
Fell in love
With a Lily, pure and meek
And as timid, white, and weak
As a dove.
Yet withal a wee bit chilly,
Just enough the Tiger’s silly
Pride to pique.

By and by the Lily cold,
Felt the charm;
Learned, tho’ dreadful to behold,
That the Tiger, fierce and bold,
Meant no harm.
And she smiled upon him shyly,
Till at length the Tiger wily
Was consoled.

So in time the Beauty grew
To adore
The Royal Beast who came to woo,
Loved him for his golden hue—
For his roar;
All for him with blushes burning,
To a Tiger-lily turning,
Golden too.

But alas, the luckless Lily
Loved in vain;
For a painted daffodilly
Came between them, and the Lily,
Pale with pain,
In a dark pool, drooped and pining,
Drowned herself, and rose a shining
Water-lily.