TO A DAY LILY


What! only to stay
For a single day?
Thou beautiful, bright hued on
Just to open thine eyes
To the blue of the skies
And the light of the glorious sun,
Then, to fade away
In the same rich ray,
And die ere the day is done?

Bright thing of a day
Thou hast caught a ray
From Morn's jewelled curtain fold
On thy burning cheek,
And the ruby streak
His dyed it with charms untold--
And the gorgeous vest
On thy queenly breast,
Is dashed with her choicest gold.

A statelier queen
Has never been seen,
A lovelier never will be!--
Nay, Solomon, dressed
In his kingliest best,