 | At Sunset |  |
44
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE
Th' assembled crowd of subjects wait
The passing of a car of state
With mounted guard and herald quaint,
With ermined peer and mitred saint.
The passing of a car of state
With mounted guard and herald quaint,
With ermined peer and mitred saint.
Right royally the coursers prance,
The sovereign, glittering to the glance
With priceless gems of every clime,
Moves on with bell and trumpet chime.
The sovereign, glittering to the glance
With priceless gems of every clime,
Moves on with bell and trumpet chime.
Why does the splendid pageant stand
Arrested by a waving hand?
An antic steed with murderous feet
O'erthrows an urchin of the street.
Arrested by a waving hand?
An antic steed with murderous feet
O'erthrows an urchin of the street.
The Empress of as proud a realm
As e'er saw statesman at its helm,
Commands the pause, that she may know
What harm o'ertook that stripling low.
As e'er saw statesman at its helm,
Commands the pause, that she may know
What harm o'ertook that stripling low.
Where dwells the grace that fits a queen?
In bearing haughty or serene?
In lofty attitude of mind?
In pomps that dazzle humankind?
In bearing haughty or serene?
In lofty attitude of mind?
In pomps that dazzle humankind?
45
The queenliest action of that day
When cheering thousands marked her way,
Was that which showed how simply good
Was the great lady's womanhood.
When cheering thousands marked her way,
Was that which showed how simply good
Was the great lady's womanhood.
1897.
| At Sunset | |