 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
100
CHARLEMAGNE.
Whence comest thou?—What kingdom of the starsIs thine, imperial ghost?—with homage meet,
Cæsar, Augustus, thee my song shall greet,
And hail a Charlemagne the second Mars!
Yet other notes must fill the praiseful song
Than those hoarse clamours of continual wars,
Or never had I met thee blest among
Children of light: thee, rectitude of soul,
Majestic firmness, patriot excellence,
Simplicity and truth and sterling sense
On the bright record of the Great enroll:
Rejoice, fair France, in those dear memories
Of him, thy somewhile glory and defence:
Such monarchs earn the fame that never dies.
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |