Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT THE PASSING OF A BELOVED MONARCH, by JOHN MASEFIELD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT THE PASSING OF A BELOVED MONARCH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The everlasting wisdom has ordained
Last Line: That millions yet unborn shall bless her reign.
Alternate Author Name(s): Masefield, John Edward
Subject(s): Crowns; George Vi, King Of England (1894-1952); Great Britain - Commonwealth & Colonies; Memory; Prayer; War; Wisdom; British Empire; England - Empire


The everlasting Wisdom has ordained
That this rare Soul, His earthly service done
Shall leave the peoples over whom he reigned
For other service at a higher Throne,
Where Life's rewarders sing at Triumph won
In nobleness attempted and attained
Through years more terrible than any known.

What is a Nation's love? No little thing:
A vast dumb tenderness beyond all price;
Surely a power of prayer upon a wing;
The living anguish of a hope to heal
Offered by all hearts here in sacrifice
To spirits bowed in sorrow for the King
That it may touch, to comfort or anneal.

May this devotion help them in their grief.
May the devotion kindle to resolve
To make this stricken country green with leaf
Glad with another hope to be again
A Sun about which singing orbs revolve
A Kingdom grown so worthy of her Chief
That millions yet unborn shall bless her reign.





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