To incantations dost thou trust, That man can bless one pile of dust Its roof star-pictured, Nature's ceiling, A shadow sweeps apace The ticking wood-worm mocks thee, man! Thy temples, creeds themselves grow wan! Confusing in a shapeless blot, the sepulchre But there's a dome of nobler span, and throne. A temple given Thy faith, that bigots dare not ban, The city's heart is struck with thought more solemn than the tone! The palace sounds with wail- VICTORIA'S TEARS. "Hark! the reiterated clangor sounds! "O MAIDEN! heir of kings! All other from his face! And thou upon thy mother's breast, No longer lean adown, But take the glory for the rest, And rule the land that loves thee best!" She wept, to wear a crown! They decked her courtly halls; They reined her hundred steeds; They shouted at her palace gate, "A noble Queen succeeds!" Her name has stirred the mountain's sleep, Her praise has filled the town! And mourners God had stricken deep, Looked hearkening up, and did not weep. Alone she wept, Who wept, to wear a crown! She saw no purple shine, For tears had dimmed her eyes; And while her heralds played the part, She wept, to wear a crown! God save thee, weeping Queen! Thou shalt be well beloved! And leave such happy days behind, for happy- The tyrant's sceptre cannot move, making years! A nation looks to thee For steadfast sympathy: As those pure tears have moved! The nature in thine eyes we see, That tyrants cannot own Make room within thy bright clear eyes, for The love that guardeth liberties! all its gathered tears. And so the grateful isles Shall give thee back their smiles, And as thy mother joys in thee, in them shalt thou rejoice; Rejoice to meekly bow A somewhat paler brow, While the King of kings shall bless thee by the British people's voice! ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. Strange blessing on the nation lies, Whose Sovereign wept — God bless thee, weeping Queen, With blessing more divine! And fill with happier love than earth's, That tender heart of thine! That when the thrones of earth shall be As low as graves brought down; |