I.

CONTENDING beauties, whom the doom

Of Fate has still assign’d

Two fragrant rival flow’rs to blow,

And scent the western wind;

II.

The White Rose and the blushing Red,

Each one the garden’s pride,

With equal grace their leaves display’d,

And flourish’d side by side.

III.

The first of spotless beauty vain

That sudden caught the eye,

The last attentive praise to gain

From her more sanguine dye.

IV.

Of sov’reign virtue both well known,

Both favour’d from above:

Still full of glory rose each flow’r,

Emblems of gentle Love.

V.

Yet ’twixt their stocks wild feuds subsist,

To work them lasting woe;

Whilst each of other still complain’d,

And strove her overthrow.

VI.

“Shame, said the Red, on that pale hue,

“Which speaks the wearer’s heart;

“That, void of virtue as of grace,

“No colour can impart.

VII.

“Unlike the blushes that adorn

“My flow’r with colour meet,

“Aurora’s, when she wakes the day,

“Appear not half so sweet.”

VIII.

“Nay! Shame on thee, the White reply’d,

“Whose blush by guilt was giv’n:

“Ev’n by the blood of Venus shed,

“Our patroness in Heav’n[11].

IX.

“Till then like me all Roses were,

“Whose ancient stock I claim;

“And, void of crime, still reprobate

“Their colour with their name.”

X.

“This and much more she angry said:

“But Jove’s immortal flow’r[12]

“Their ill-meant conversation broke,

“With soft, persuasive pow’r.

XI.

“Forbear, she cry’d, in haughty guise,

“Reproachful to contend:

“Whoe’er the victrix, small her gain,

“That thus can lose a friend.

XII.

“Ally’d by Nature in your kind,

“And diff’ring but in Hue:

“You both possess intrinsic worth,

“And outward beauty too.

XIII.

“Long was the strife your[13] ancient state,

“In this our isle pursu’d;

“Which many a year drench’d either Rose,

“In seas of kindred blood.

XIV.

“Oh! may no more such horrors rise,

“Within our Garden’s pale:

“But all with emulation strive,

“That concord may prevail!

XV.

“May civil feuds and ranc’rous hate

“From hence be banish’d far;

“Foul is that strife, where friends contest,

“And wage inhuman war.

XVI.

“Then to this solemn truth give ear;

“Where trifles thus are priz’d,

“If two for victory contend;

“They both will be despis’d.”