The poem
The modest Rose puts forth a thorn: The humble Sheep. a threatning horn: While the Lily white, shall in Love delight, Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright
The Lilly
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The lily is compared to the rose in innocence. Whereas the rose has thorns as defence, it is protected, the lily is open and exposes its 'beauty bright'. The rose is modest- hides behind thorns! the lily on the other hand is showy- not hidden by thorns for protection.