The Battle

There was a battle in her face,

Between a Lily and a Rose:

My love would have the Lily win

And I the Lily lose.

I saw with joy that strife, first one,

And then the other uppermost;

Until the Rose roused all its blood,

And then the Lily lost.

When she’s alone, the Lily rules,

By her consent, without mistake:

But when I come that red Rose leaps

To battle for my sake.