 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
27
THE MOTHER OF KINGS.
A dream of empire,—and a waking thoughtPatriot in wisdom, and of loyal worth,
Which placemen will not cherish as they ought,
Because with such there ever was a dearth
Of generous feeling in this frigid earth:
I saw our Queen an Empress; and her rule,
Not forced by mercantile or office clerks,
Nor mispresented by some party-tool,
But personal, and full of gracious works,
Rejoicing every colony: I saw
An Alfred, and all India prospering
Under his sceptre, sway'd by Christian law;
Australia, under Arthur triumphing;
And Duncan, Scottish Canada's young king.
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