TO THE QUEEN. REVERED, beloved you that hold A nobler office upon earth Than arms, or power of brain, or birth Could give the warrior kings of old, Victoria, - since your Royal grace To one of less desert allows This laurel greener from the brows Of him that uttered nothing base; And should your greatness, and the care That yokes with empire, yield you time To make demand of modern rhyme I aught of ancient worth be there; Then - while a sweeter music wakes, And thro' wild March the throstle calls, Where all about your palace-walls The sun lit almond-blossom shakes fake, Madam, this poor book of song; For tho' the faults were thick as dust In vacant chambers, I could trust Your kindness. May you rule us long, And leave us rulers of your blood As noble till the latest day I May children of our children say, u She wrought her people lasting good ; “Her court was pure ; her life serene ; God gave her peace; her land reposed; In her as Mother, Wife, and Queen ; “And statesmen at her council met Who knew the seasons when to take Occasion by the hand, and make The bounds of freedom wider yet " By shaping some august decree, Which kept her throne unshaken sti, Broad-based upon her people's will, And compass'd by the inviolate sen.) MARCH, 1861. |