 | A Sonnet Chronicle |  |
41
The Delhi Durbar
January 1, 1903.
When in the milkwhite hall on Delhi's plain
The princes of the sixty millions stood,
And golden “Shan” and grim-faced Pathan brood,
And Rajpoot nobles joined in lofty strain
To bless with loyal voice their Emperor's reign,
I heard guns roar above the quietude
Of fifty years, and saw one write in blood,
“Remember those who for this day were slain!”
The princes of the sixty millions stood,
And golden “Shan” and grim-faced Pathan brood,
And Rajpoot nobles joined in lofty strain
To bless with loyal voice their Emperor's reign,
I heard guns roar above the quietude
Of fifty years, and saw one write in blood,
“Remember those who for this day were slain!”
The writing vanished; o'er the Lion throne
Clear scrolled in light upon heaven's blue was seen,
“Edward, true son of India's Empress-Queen,
Swears to protect your liberties and rights!”
Ah! better than ten thousand bloody fights
Is love and law that binds an empire one.
Clear scrolled in light upon heaven's blue was seen,
“Edward, true son of India's Empress-Queen,
Swears to protect your liberties and rights!”
Ah! better than ten thousand bloody fights
Is love and law that binds an empire one.
| A Sonnet Chronicle | |