The Lotus

Toru Dutt (1856–1877)

Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan

Sonnet.—The Lotus.

Love came to Flora asking for a flowerThat would of flowers be undisputed queen,The lily and the rose, long, long had beenRivals for that high honour. Bards of powerHad sung their claims. "The rose can never towerLike the pale lily with her Juno mien"—"But is the lily lovelier?" Thus betweenFlower-factions rang the strife in Psyche's bower."Give me a flower delicious as the roseAnd stately as the lily in her pride"—"But of what colour?"—"Rose-red," Love first chose,Then prayed,—"No, lily-white,—or, both provide;"And Flora gave the lotus, "rose-red" dyed,And "lily-white,"—the queenliest flower that blows.