University of Virginia Library

VI.

But not in vain—not void of gain
Devoted deaths so nobly dared!
Deaths that keep living unimpaired
The spirit to raise into the Real
Our English Empire's grand Ideal!
To build up, and from clime to clime
Extend that civil fabric sound
Of balanced social forces Time
Has their securest safeguard found;
Which, best for ordered Freedom still,
Still leaves the changeful Public Will
Unchangeably imperial-crowned!
That Empire—for the wisely free
A kindred haunt, a kindly home!
No poison-spreading Upas-Tree;
No Rata-Myrtle, pressing down
The life it wrecks to raise its own;
Nor e'er while sheltering like old Rome
Perhaps half-stifling—realm or race
In baneful shade—too strict embrace!
Rather some bounteous-burgeoning Vine,
Strong-stemmed—tough-jointed—rooted fast,
About whose purple-clustered vast
Luxuriance beauteous runners blow,
And rich strange blossoms interlace;
All round about each other curled
To swathe and wreathe the rotund World
With flowers of Freedom; petals fine
Of peaceful Glory; fruits that shine
'Mid equal rights and laws and grow
To mellowest richness in the glow
Of Reverence for all duties clear,
And all emotions—deep—divine!
All for the common strength and good
Enringed with many a tendril-twine
Of mutual help and brotherhood:
And woven from them all perchance—
Of fittest growths and finest blent,
From many a region far and near,
Their central garland of supreme
Impartial earnest governance!
And for the sovran ornament
Of that majestic anademe—
Climax and star that world-cymar
To crown—a world-wide cynosure—
Some peerless Lily, say, or pure
Camellia breathing the sweet power
White goodness has to sway—allure!—
—Nay, waive weak metaphors! What flower
Were emblem worthy to recall
The full deserts most favouring fate
May on such culmination shower!
—The life-long loyalty to all
The limits of that high estate;
All duties with a genial charm
Of gentle dignity fulfilled—
Grace by a Mind for ever warm
With clear exalted aims instilled;
The lofty courage, and no less
True woman's lively tenderness
And sympathy unerring, wide,
For suffering hearts where'er descried—
Right wisdom!—all the worth we see,
And seeing, love, revere and bless—
Victoria—Queen who dost possess
All worth this Age's Best confess
Best fits this Age's Queen—in Thee!