This poem was first published in 1794 and was one of the series of poems in Songs of Experience. These short poems explore the harsh realities of late 18th and early 19th Century life during the time of King George III, known — ironically given the terrible social conditions of the time — as the Romantic Era. Each poem in the “Songs of Experience” category is matched by an idealistic portrayal in Songs of Innocence. The contrast is Blake’s method of social protest.

Spelled “Lilly” in Blake’s time, The Lilly is a simple AABB poem that at first, seems to tell us that even the most beautiful and innocent things have a dark side–but later, gives us an exception.

This could also be a metaphor for how everyone has something to protect them when loved (a rose has thorns and a sheep has horns)–but the lily is completely defenseless–therefore more vulnerable yet beautiful. The most beautiful things in life are the most vulnerable too.

Blake painted this poem on the same page as two other flower-related poems that have interesting morals as well: “My Pretty Rose Tree” and “Ah! Sun-flower”.

Structure
The poem comprises one quatrain, that is, a four-lined stanza. The metrical rhythm is broadly iambic tetrameter, that is four metrical feet per line, where each metrical foot is made up of one unstressed following by one stressed syllable. The stanza is split into two rhyming couplets.

Language and Imagery
The voice is that of the poet. He capitalises the Lilly, the Rose and Love, so that each is a symbol of an abstract idea.