Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE QUEEN, by ALFRED TENNYSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Revered, beloved - o you that hold Last Line: And compass'd by the inviolate sea.' Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron Subject(s): Victoria, Queen Of England (1819-1901) | ||||||||
Revered, beloved -- O 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 utter'd nothing base; And should your greatness, and the care That yokes with empire, yield you time To make demand of modern rhyme If 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 -- Take, 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! May children of our children say, 'She wrought her people lasting good; 'Her court was pure; her life serene; God gave her peace; her land reposed; A thousand claims to reverence closed 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 still, Broad-based upon her people's will, And compass'd by the inviolate sea.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 1. 1887 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN THE WIDOW AT WINDSOR by RUDYARD KIPLING IDYLLS OF THE KING: DEDICATION by ALFRED TENNYSON IDYLLS OF THE KING: TO THE QUEEN by ALFRED TENNYSON CROWNED AND WEDDED by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE YOUNG QUEEN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING VICTORIA'S TEARS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING VERSES ON THE QUEEN by THOMAS CAMPBELL THE PURGATORY OF SUICIDES: BOOK 7, STANZA 7 by THOMAS COOPER A CHARACTER by ALFRED TENNYSON |
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