University of Virginia Library

LINES, ETC.

“A woman should not rule this realm;”
Oh weak and brutal mind!
In which fierce ignorance of truth
With folly was combined:
Shall England, then, forget when most
Fair Commerce spread her sails,
While Peace and Plenty dwelt unharmed
Within her fertile vales?—
When, planted like our native oak,
To flourish evermore,
Religion rose in Majesty,
The storms of faction o'er,
And flung her holy ample shade
Along the quiet land,
Protected by the sceptred strength
Of Woman's Royal hand!
Shall we forget when most we grew
In glory and in might,
And one by one, like circling stars
That dawn upon the night,
Name after name of sterling worth
Claimed place in History's page,
To stamp that term of Woman's rule
As Britain's “Golden Age?”
Brute strength and mail-clad force are past;
The barbarous times are gone,
When Richard Cœur de Lion fought
The field of Ascalon;
But not from England's crown is lost
What never can depart,
The courage of her Royal blood,
Though shrined in Woman's heart!
Not in a wild and Pagan land,
Not in the battle-strife,
The traitor's arm was lifted up
Against her sacred life;
To England's long-enduring shame,
Her own unworthy son
Taught us, a “Lion-Heart” still holds
The sceptre and the throne.
She heard the bolt of death fly past
(Oh! moment dark and dread!)
Then fearlessly she raised again
Her young majestic head;
And on she went, with gracious smile,
All tranquil and serene,
She knew, tho' one rash traitor aimed,
The People loved their Queen!
She turned not with a woman's fear
To sheltering Palace wall,
Her guards were in her subjects hearts—
The hope, the star of all!
Was this a soul unfit to reign?
Was this, the bright young bride,
A girl irresolute and weak,
A mock to England's pride?
No! If to that high soul be joined
Fair face and feeble arm,
It doth but add, to thinking minds,
A glory and a charm:
And God shall bless the brave young Queen,
Who feared no traitor's might,
And guard our Cœur de Lion still,
In every sacred right!