 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
222
ALFRED'S CHILDREN.
Thy children, King of Men! thy faithful ones,The boldly cheerful, true in head and heart,
Salute thy crown with reverence as thy sons,
And joy to see thee honour'd as thou art,
By millions everywhere: behold, O King!
These, whom old England's laws, old England's tongue,
And all the good that of thy sowing sprung
Have nourish'd up like thee in everything,
Claim thee for Father; yea, yon untold host,
Ever the first to conquer and control,
Ambassadors of truth to every coast,
And mercy's messengers from pole to pole,
Thee, mighty King, their bright example boast,
And date their glories from thy Saxon soul.
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |