 | The Poetical Works of Frances Ridley Havergal |  |
187
The Maidens of England
ON THE PRESENTATION OF A BIBLE TO THEIR PRINCESS ROYAL.
Ere the pathless ocean waters
Bear thee far from England's shore,
Come we, England's youthful daughters,
Warmly greeting thee once more.
Bear thee far from England's shore,
Come we, England's youthful daughters,
Warmly greeting thee once more.
Rarest jewels, lustre flinging,
Grace thy royal diadem;
Yet we come, an offering bringing
Richer than its richest gem.
Grace thy royal diadem;
Yet we come, an offering bringing
Richer than its richest gem.
While with prayerful love unspoken,
Princess! glows each maiden heart,
Deign to take this sacred token,
Brightest lamp and surest chart.
Princess! glows each maiden heart,
Deign to take this sacred token,
Brightest lamp and surest chart.
May its holy precepts guide thee
In each hour of joy or sadness;
Yet may he who stands beside thee
Share with thee unfading gladness.
In each hour of joy or sadness;
Yet may he who stands beside thee
Share with thee unfading gladness.
Ever on thy pathway shining,
Living stars 'mid earthly night,
May its peace and grace entwining
Gird thee with a robe of light.
Living stars 'mid earthly night,
May its peace and grace entwining
Gird thee with a robe of light.
Rose of England! fragrance breathing,
To thy far new home depart,
Round thy early bloom enwreathing
All the love of England's heart.
To thy far new home depart,
Round thy early bloom enwreathing
All the love of England's heart.
188
Be thy gladness ever vernal
'Mid the wintry scenes below,
Till a crown of life eternal.
Gleams upon thy royal brow!
'Mid the wintry scenes below,
Till a crown of life eternal.
Gleams upon thy royal brow!
Father, be Thou ever near her!
Saviour, fill her with Thy love!
Let Thy constant presence cheer her,
Joy-imparting Holy Dove!
Saviour, fill her with Thy love!
Let Thy constant presence cheer her,
Joy-imparting Holy Dove!
| The Poetical Works of Frances Ridley Havergal | |