Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN MEMORY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: 2. FEBRUARY 1ST AND 2ND, 1901, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN MEMORY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: 2. FEBRUARY 1ST AND 2ND, 1901, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Forth from her palace gate
Last Line: Knit close again!
Subject(s): Victoria, Queen Of England (1819-1901)


1st.

FORTH from her Palace gate
Down to the wintry shore
Bear her with Royal state,
Who comes no more.

Within her swift ship's side
Lay her down solemnly;
Thus when the Vikings died
They sought the sea.

Glide phantom-like, glide slow,
Down the long line and far
Where range in dreadful row
Her fleets of war.

Silent and slow glide past,
Oh funeral ship, and thread
Her steel-mailed Titans vast;
Bearing the dead.

For this was she their Queen
Who three-score perilous years
Fronted whate'er has been;
Hopes, sorrows, fears --

Whom -- 'tis but four brief years --
They praised with thunders loud;
Hushed now the shouts, the cheers,
The applauding crowd.

Guard her, strong ironclads, well
Safe to her further shore,
For hark the tolling bell!
She comes no more!

-----------

2nd.

Speed her with all her train
Of Kingly potentates
To where once more again
Her London waits.

And let the unnumbered throng
In this sad pageant see,
As slow it sweeps along,
Her Jubilee.

A Jubilee of life
Lived well, and therefore blest;
Care, then, at times and strife,
Peace now and rest.

Let her loved soldiers brave,
As when a soldier dies,
Make for their leader's grave
Due obsequies.

Flags, fifes, the drum's low beat,
The dead, where lay the gun;
No more shall come her feet,
Her long march done.

Lay her beneath the shade
Of Windsor's regal towers,
Where in sad widowed hours
Her tomb she made.

Lay her beside her dear!
Long-severed lovers twain!
At last, nor only here,
Knit close again!





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