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WATER-LILIES.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


96

WATER-LILIES.

Down on the lake where the waters sleep
In a trance of leafy gloom,
Rocked ceaselessly by the lulling swell,
In an endless waste of bloom,
The fair white lilies, the bride-like lilies,
Unbosom their rich perfume.
O lovingly, after the stars go out,
And the silent night is done,
When their morning choruses clear and sweet.
The wood-birds have begun,
The fond white lilies, the bride-like lilies,
Look up to their lord, the sun.
And a spell like that which the lotus owns,
Steals over the charméd air,
As, slow unclosing their shining leaves
So wondrously pale and fair,
The rich white lilies, the bride-like lilies,
Their golden hearts lay bare.

97

White angels of the crystal lake,
Haloed with purity,
There is never a touch of earthly dust
On their radiant drapery,—
The sweet white lilies, the bride-like lilies,
The fairest flowers that be!