Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 30. QUEEN MARGARET'S MISSAL, by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR.


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 30. QUEEN MARGARET'S MISSAL, by                    
First Line: The king stood bowed within the cloister crypt
Last Line: Love and the light-illumined word abide.
Subject(s): Great Britain - History; Malcolm Iii Macduncan, King Of Scotland; Margaret Of Scotland, Saint (1046-1093); English History


The king stood bowed within the cloister crypt
Above the scribe who blent the green and blue
With lines of scarlet color burning through,
As though the quill in Malcolm's heart were dipped;
And like the letters curved to wings flame-tipped,
His thoughts about the pearl of women drew,
Made lovelier by the radiant Life that grew
Fair as a rose along the glowing script.

The hands that wrought the missal for the queen
Have dropped to dust, and over heath and hill
The royal hunter never more will ride;
But through the ages, bright with golden sheen,
Upon the leaves of painted parchment still
Love and the light-illumined Word abide.





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