Lylium

A lily sweet as ambrosia,

wise as Minerva,

pure as a vestal,

as beautiful as Venus,

grows in the Urbe Aeterna.

A lily so marvelous, she

would make even imperatora

nostra as green as Syrian jade

with envy,

blossoms in old Aulus’ garden.

A lily so pious, she

is hidden by those called

Christiani, lest she defile her

purest soul,

withers across the Tiber.

A lily so lovestruck, she

prays day and night for her

Iesus to come down and open

my eyes,

sews the seeds of hope in my heart.

A lily so loved, her

God has answered her

prayers for me to see

verissimam veritas,

plants a new love in my heart.

Now here I stand, a new man,

created anew by the love

of my Lygian lily.