Love came to Flora asking for a flower
    That would of flowers be undisputed queen,
    The lily and the rose, long, long had been
    Rivals for that high honour. Bards of power
    Had sung their claims. "The rose can never tower
    Like the pale lily with her Juno mien"— 
    "But is the lily lovelier?" Thus between
    Flower-factions rang the strife in Psyche's bower.
    "Give me a flower delicious as the rose
    And 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.

 More information on Toru Dutt