Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COEUR DE LION: 1; SONNET, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK


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COEUR DE LION: 1; SONNET, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Richard the lion-hearted, crowned serene
Last Line: Lord of himself, therefore his brethren's lord.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria
Subject(s): Richard I, King Of England (1157-1199)


RICHARD the Lion-hearted, crowned serene
With the true royalty of perfect man;
Seated in stone above the praise or ban
Of these mixed crowds who come gaping lean
As if to see what the word "king" might mean
In those old times. Behold! what need that rim
Of crown 'gainst this blue sky, to signal him
A monarch, of the monarchs that have been,
And, perhaps, are not? -- Read his destinies
In the full brow o'er-arching kingly eyes,
In the strong hands, grasping both rein and sword,
In the close mouth, so sternly beautiful: --
Surely, a man who his own spirit can rule;
Lord of himself, therefore his brethren's lord.





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