The Amaranth

“Forbear, she cry’d, in haughty guise, “Reproachful to contend: “Whoe’er the victrix, small her gain, “That thus can lose a friend.

“Ally’d by Nature in your kind, “And diff’ring but in Hue: “You both possess intrinsic worth, “And outward beauty too.

“Long was the strife your ancient state, “In this our isle pursu’d; “Which many a year drench’d either Rose, “In seas of kindred blood.

“Oh! may no more such horrors rise, “Within our Garden’s pale: “But all with emulation strive, “That concord may prevail!

“May civil feuds and ranc’rous hate “From hence be banish’d far; “Foul is that strife, where friends contest, “And wage inhuman war.

“Then to this solemn truth give ear; “Where trifles thus are priz’d, “If two for victory contend; “They both will be despis’d.”