University of Virginia Library


310

THE BABY KING.

Not ten years old, and yet a king,
Throned high upon a velvet chair,
Beneath the gilded cloth of state,
He waves his sceptre with an air;
Welcomes the early with a nod,
Reproves the tardy with a frown;
Then to his lady mother turns,
And counts the pearls upon her gown.
The chancellor, with ponderous brow,
Talks to him of his common weal;
He pulls him by his jewelled chain,
And, laughing, hides the heavy seal.
The chamberlain, a stately lord,
Kneels down to yield his golden key;
The monarch all the while intent,
With the cat's cradle on his knee.
The privy council's grey beards meet,
The wooden noddles bend together;
The king is hearing the debate,
And playing with a peacock's feather.