 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
221
ALFRED'S MEMORIAL: 1849.
In simple majesty serenely mild,By pain well chasten'd, and made wise through grief,
Calm like a king, while gentle like a child,
Yet firm as may become the nation's chief,
Alfred! I stand in thought before thee now,
And to thy throne in duteous homage bow,
After a thousand years! My soul is glad,
Thus to have roused to thankful thoughts of thee,
From this dull mist of modern base and bad,
The world of Englishmen; that haply we,
United now again, as once thy will
Determined, and still mindful of thy worth,
O Paragon of goodness, force, and skill,
Like thee, may live a blessing upon earth.
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