Interludes and Undertones, or, Music at Twilight | ||
135
CI. HENRY DE BOURBON
1873.
Well done! great Henry! great in abnegation,
Great in assertion of a life-long thought,
Great in the fearless, calm renunciation
Of crown and throne that should be given, not bought;
Great that you would not condescend to utter
What you believed not, for dominion's prize,
Or stoop to snatch a sceptre from the gutter,
Blood sprinkled, filth encrusted, where it lies.
Great in assertion of a life-long thought,
Great in the fearless, calm renunciation
Of crown and throne that should be given, not bought;
Great that you would not condescend to utter
What you believed not, for dominion's prize,
Or stoop to snatch a sceptre from the gutter,
Blood sprinkled, filth encrusted, where it lies.
Great Henry, firm, unselfish, and as pure
In conscience as the old historic flag,
That with a noble childishness you'd lure
To its old place, to shame a rival rag.
The age is sordid, selfish, base, and mean.
You, the true prince, high in eclipsed estate,
Give it example, and with soul serene
Teach it that honesty alone is great!
In conscience as the old historic flag,
That with a noble childishness you'd lure
To its old place, to shame a rival rag.
The age is sordid, selfish, base, and mean.
You, the true prince, high in eclipsed estate,
Give it example, and with soul serene
Teach it that honesty alone is great!
Interludes and Undertones, or, Music at Twilight | ||