Freston
77
IN MEMORIAM
CARDINAL MANNING AND PRINCE VICTOR
So, he has left us! may he sweetly sleep,
While for his sake unnumbered thousands weep.
O'er all the world the clouds of sorrow lower,
For this strong, tender shepherd of the poor.
Two princes now are lying cold and dead,
Struck by the same dark hand. The head
Of one, bearing the finger-marks of fate
In human weakness, and the promised weight
Of England's crown, with gems by far too bright
For blood to dim, or long ago they might
Have lost their lustre, for 'twas freely shed,
To keep them safely in their golden bed.
While for his sake unnumbered thousands weep.
O'er all the world the clouds of sorrow lower,
For this strong, tender shepherd of the poor.
Two princes now are lying cold and dead,
Struck by the same dark hand. The head
Of one, bearing the finger-marks of fate
In human weakness, and the promised weight
Of England's crown, with gems by far too bright
For blood to dim, or long ago they might
Have lost their lustre, for 'twas freely shed,
To keep them safely in their golden bed.
The other Prince! Upon his brow of might
Rested a coronet, whose gems of light
Were deeds of love, were thoughts sublimely fair,
And God's own Kingly hand had placed it there,
Rested a coronet, whose gems of light
Were deeds of love, were thoughts sublimely fair,
And God's own Kingly hand had placed it there,
