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 Very whitely still
 The lilies of our lives may reassure
  Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
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 Very whitely still
 The lilies of our lives may reassure
  Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
   Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer;
    Growing straight out of man's reach, on the hill.
     God only, who made us rich, can make us poor. 
 But lilies, stolen from grassy mold,
 No more curled state unfold,
  Translated to a vase of gold;
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 But lilies, stolen from grassy mold,
 No more curled state unfold,
  Translated to a vase of gold;
   In burning throne though they keep still
    Serenities unthawed and chill. 
 And lilies are still lilies, pulled
 By smutty hands, though spotted from their white.  
 And lilies are still lilies, pulled
 By smutty hands, though spotted from their white. 
 And the wand-like lily which lifted up,
 As a Maenad, its moonlight-coloured cup,
  Till the fiery star, read more 
 And the wand-like lily which lifted up,
 As a Maenad, its moonlight-coloured cup,
  Till the fiery star, which is its eye,
   Gazed through clear dew on the tender sky. 
 And the stately lilies stand
 Fair in the silvery light,
  Like saintly vestals, pale in prayer;
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 And the stately lilies stand
 Fair in the silvery light,
  Like saintly vestals, pale in prayer;
   Their pure breath sanctifies the air,
    As its fragrance fills the night. 
 I like not lady-slippers,
 Not yet the sweet-pea blossoms,
  Not yet the flaky roses,
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 I like not lady-slippers,
 Not yet the sweet-pea blossoms,
  Not yet the flaky roses,
   Red or white as snow;
    I like the chaliced lilies,
     The heavy Eastern lilies,
      The gorgeous tiger-lilies,
       That in our garden grow. 
 Like the lily
 That once was mistress of the field and flourished,
  I'll hang my head and read more 
 Like the lily
 That once was mistress of the field and flourished,
  I'll hang my head and perish. 
 Is not this lily pure?
 What fuller can procure
  A white so perfect, spotless clear
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 Is not this lily pure?
 What fuller can procure
  A white so perfect, spotless clear
   As in this flower doth appear? 
For her, the lilies hang their heads and die.
For her, the lilies hang their heads and die.