 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
XL.
Nations self-cheated, this shall come to pass—From yonder altar to their kingdoms down
True Kings once more shall pace, sceptre and crown
On that dim sea of marble and of brass
Showering, as angels on the sea of glass
Their amaranth crowns. All Powers once more shall own
Man's debt perpetual to Saint Peter's throne,
All lands there find their Freedom's shield. Alas!
What now are Kings? A thousand years each nation
Claimed to stand subject to a Father's eye:
All realms invoked the Apostle's arbitration
An unseen world their strength and unity:
Proud kings, proud realms, your victory is your loss!
That rule is brief which rests not on the Cross.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |