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PROTHALAMION
6th July, 1893
1
Gracious Lady, loved while honour'd,First to Thee our hearts we bring;
O'er thy many sceptred summers
May this morn fresh radiance fling!
Queen and Empress, Wife and Mother,
Thou hast sanctified the throne;
Smile and tear, the thorns, the flowers
Of life's blended garland known:
—Rose of York, and Rose of May,
Bless them as they twine, to-day.
2
Higher lot who should desireThan to tune their life by Her's,
Who, from youth to age, unchanging
Others to Herself prefers?
World-wide realms let fancy picture,
East to West, from palm to pine:
Natural bliss, by king and peasant
Shared alike, to sing be mine:
Rose of York, and Rose of May,
Roses twined in one, to-day!
3
Who may wish ye more or better,Beauteous Maid and gallant Youth,
Than love's mutual smile when folding
Hand on hand in loyal truth?
Memory mute mid songs of triumph
Glides meanwhile in twilight dress;
Bride to Bridegroom gently clasping
In a double tenderness:
Rose of York, and Rose of May,
Roses twined in one, to-day.
4
Happy Hesperus from HeavenOn them shine with favouring face,
Through the night that hardly darkens,
Through the dawn that climbs apace.
Star of Love, through life's dim region
Steadfast o'er their transit glow;
Till, where Angels wait them, waking,
Their eternal Home they know:
Rose of York, and Rose of May,
Roses twined in one, for aye.
F. T. PALGRAVE
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