RUSSIA had a noble Tzar, Sovereign honored wide and far; He a father's love enjoyed, He a father's power employed. And he sought his children's bliss, And their happiness was his: Left for them his golden halls; Left for them his palace walls. He, a-wanderer for them, Left his royal diadem: Staff and knapsack all his treasure; Toil and danger all his pleasure. Wherefore hath he journeyed forth From his glorious, sceptred north? Flying pride and pomp and power; Suffering heat and cold and shower. Why? because this noble king Light and truth and bliss might bring; Spread intelligence, and pour Knowledge out on Russia's shore. Wherefore would this noble king Light and truth and virtue bring, Spread intelligence, and pour Knowledge out on Russia's shore? He would guide by wisdom's ray All his subjects in their way; And while beams of glory giving, Teach them all the arts of living. O thou noble King and Tzar! Earth ne'er saw so bright a star, -- Tell me, have ye ever found Such a prince the world around? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE ROCK THAT WILL BE A CORNERSTONE OF THE HOUSE by ROBINSON JEFFERS JOE HILL LISTENS TO THE PRAYING by KENNETH PATCHEN I LOVE ALL BEAUTEOUS THINGS by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL by PUBLIUS AELIUS HADRIANUS THE LONG AGO by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TAYLOR PENTRIDGE BY THE RIVER by WILLIAM BARNES THE CARPERS (AN ASPECT) by WILLIAM ROSE BENET MISUNDERSTANDINGS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: TARAFA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |