 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
XXI. ‘IN ALL THINGS LOYALTY.’
One Virtue reigned supreme in days gone by,Familiarly beloved, with awe obeyed:
The name survives amongst us—Loyalty:
By her all natural ties were Virtues made:
All Virtues, humble while their Queen stood nigh,
Unsunned remained, and pure, beneath the shade:
Without her now, they strut in masquerade,
Vainglorious pageants for the public eye!
Sans-foy! Sans-loy! Sans-joy!—the Patron Saints
Which every modern warrior, on his casque
Blazons—each scribe on his phylactery!
How will ye better help a land that faints
With hunger, long and vainly do I ask,
Than ancient Faith, or Hope, or Charity?
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |