Poems (Hale)/Victoria at Westminster
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VICTORIA AT WESTMINSTER.
SUGGESTED BY SULLY'S CELEBRATED PORTRAIT.
She sits on her ancestral seat, a crowned and jeweled queen,—
She of the young, unclouded brow, of mild and gracious mien;
While prelate, prince, and courtier bow at her imperial throne,
Their loyal fealty to pay, her regal right to own.
She of the young, unclouded brow, of mild and gracious mien;
While prelate, prince, and courtier bow at her imperial throne,
Their loyal fealty to pay, her regal right to own.
A gorgeous sight; for gathered there, a proud and princely band,
Are ranged the wise, the beautiful, the mighty of the land;
While wisdom, might, and beauty bend before their sovereign's feet,
To yield that homage of the heart, for youth and goodness meet.
Are ranged the wise, the beautiful, the mighty of the land;
While wisdom, might, and beauty bend before their sovereign's feet,
To yield that homage of the heart, for youth and goodness meet.
Not on the shrine of rank alone their loyal gift they pay;
Affection tunes the minstrel's harp, and fires the poet's lay
It melts the gathering ice of age, bids youth's glad fountains flow,
And lights a transient flash of joy within the breast of wo.
Affection tunes the minstrel's harp, and fires the poet's lay
It melts the gathering ice of age, bids youth's glad fountains flow,
And lights a transient flash of joy within the breast of wo.
Well may that face all hearts enthral, thou beautiful and bright;
For Love sits throned within that eye of heaven's own azure light.
That gently parted lip declares the joyousness of youth,
Rich in its morning dream of bliss, and radiant with truth.
For Love sits throned within that eye of heaven's own azure light.
That gently parted lip declares the joyousness of youth,
Rich in its morning dream of bliss, and radiant with truth.
Still be in after years as pure the glance of memory
As now unto thine ardent gaze hope's visions seems to be;
Still brightly set the star of life, as erst its splendors rose,
And fair as morning's dawning light be eventide's sweet close.
As now unto thine ardent gaze hope's visions seems to be;
Still brightly set the star of life, as erst its splendors rose,
And fair as morning's dawning light be eventide's sweet close.
Full many a pang thy heart must know, thou favored and most blest,
And thou wilt sigh in loneliness for one sweet hour of rest.
O! then in that most hallowed hour be brighter visions given
Than earth can e'er afford,—the pure and priceless hopes of heaven.
And thou wilt sigh in loneliness for one sweet hour of rest.
O! then in that most hallowed hour be brighter visions given
Than earth can e'er afford,—the pure and priceless hopes of heaven.
'Mid song, and dance, and revelry, thy woman's heart will yearn
For one sweet fountain-stream of love, whither thy steps may turn;
And thou wilt sigh within thy breast, to wear the crystal gem,
More precious far than ever shone in monarch's diadem.
For one sweet fountain-stream of love, whither thy steps may turn;
And thou wilt sigh within thy breast, to wear the crystal gem,
More precious far than ever shone in monarch's diadem.
A jeweled crown is on thy brow, a princely court is thine,
And many a glad and gushing heart bends willing at thy shrine.
Be it,amid an angel's court, to thy rapt spirit given,
To wear the Christian's coronet, the star-gemmed crown of heaven.
And many a glad and gushing heart bends willing at thy shrine.
Be it,amid an angel's court, to thy rapt spirit given,
To wear the Christian's coronet, the star-gemmed crown of heaven.