Poems (Curwen)/H.R.H. The Duchess of Teck

by Annie Isabel Curwen

H. R. H. The Duchess of Teck.

OCTOBER 27TH, 1897.
Death entered in the royal home,
 While still the sleeping city lay
Shrouded in darkness, for the gloom
 Of night still shadowed day.

Noiselessly through the stately hall
 The angel Azrael stole,
And to the slumberer soft did call—
 "Arise! Arise! sweet soul."

Softly his hand on her he laid,
 While watchers, royal watchers, wept,
Saying, "'Tis I, be not afraid,"
 And our good Princess slept.

Closed for ever her beaming eyes,
 Which aye with loving kindness shone,
But in the courts of Paradise
 She hears her Lord's "Well done."

For that great generous heart of her's
 Was aye the home of kindly thought,
And 'mid the Master's labourers
 Untiringly she wrought.

So we mourn not as those who mourn
 Who have no hope wherewith to bless,
We know she will again return
 With added beauteousness;

That on her noble brow which graced
 The noble coronet below,
A richer jewel will be placed,
 Her loving deeds to show.

O wife beloved! O mother dear!
 True follower of the Holy Cross;
England may weep above thy bier,
 For thine's the country's loss.