Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MARIE ANTOINETTIE; OCTOBER 16, 1893, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MARIE ANTOINETTIE; OCTOBER 16, 1893, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A hundred years ago to-day
Last Line: The silent lips, the faded hair.
Subject(s): Marie Antoinette, Queen Of France


OCTOBER 16, 1893.

A HUNDRED years ago to-day
The treacherous city of the Seine
Sent forth her heartless myriads gay
To mock a friendless woman's pain.

Light mirth and laughter everywhere,
As though some nuptial pageant came,
Awake the brisk autumnal air,
No touch of ruth, no thought of shame.

Roofs, casements, flag-draped balconies,
A-fire with cruel, gloating eyes;
Festering below with curses loud,
Fenced back by steel, the tigerish crowd;

Till the slow tumbril rolls in sight,
Fronting the gathering roar, the howl,
The jests obscene, the inusults foul,
And a fair mother, robed in white,

Sits bowed with bleaching hair -- a Queen
For all the sufferings that have been, --
Who casts no glance on either side,
Untouched by shame, or fear, or pride.

Calm lips, from which no word may come;
Though the priest pray, serenely dumb.
Surely death's bitterness is past,
And 'tis deliverance comes at last.

Till as she nears the palace home,
Void of the treasures of her love,
Some poignant memory seems to come,
Some pang that widowed heart to move.

And then the end! Sad, murdered Queen!
Poor mother, slain for other's wrong!
Guiltless, thou barest what had been
The sum of dark oppressions long.

Still, down a century of years
To death thou passest, white-robed, fair --
The calm eyes that had shed their tears,
The silent lips, the faded hair.





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