yC-NRLF C 2 bTl q^o ODE FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST OF JUNE 1887 iV». FRANCIS TURNER PALGJ^Al D. ljiyUn-4h^ J ODE FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST OF JUNE 1887 BY FRANCIS T. PALGRAVE PROFESSOR OF POETRY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD LATE FELLOW OK EXETER COLLEGE Oxfotb AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1887 ODE 502 . . . SUNT NIC SUA PRAEMIA LAUDI, SUNT LAC RIM A E RERUM ... ]S when the snowdrop from the snowy ground 'HI . . Lifting a maiden face, foretells the flowers That lurk and listen, till the chaffinch sound Spring's advent with the glistening willow crown'd, Sheathed in their silken bowers : — E'en so the promise of her life appears Through those white childhood-years ; — Whether in seaside happiness, and air Rosing the fair cheek, — sand, and spade, and shell, — Or race with sister-feet, that flash'd and fell Printing the beach, while the gay comrade-wind Play'd in the soft light hair : — Or if with sunbeam-smile and kind Small hand at cottage-door Her simple alms she tender'd to the poor : Love's healthy happy heart in all her steps was seen, And God, in life's fresh springtime, bless'd our Queen. II Lo ! the quick months their order'd dance pursue, And Spring's bright apple-blossoms flush to fruit ; The bay-tree thrives 'neath Heaven's own gracious dew, And her young shoots the parent-life renew Around the fostering root. — The Girl from care in youth's sweet sleep withdrawn Wakes to a crown at dawn ! But Love is at her side, strong, faithful, wise, To share the world-wide burden of command, The sceptre's weight in the unlesson'd hand ; To aid each nursery inmate, — each in turn Dear pride of watchful eyes, — To clasp the innocent hands, and learn The words of love and grace, Lifting their souls to the compassionate Face : — While o'er the fortunate fold the Shepherd watch'd unseen ; And home, in all its beauty, bless'd a Queen. Ill Ah ! Happy she, who wedded finds in one Wisest and dearest ! happy, happy years ! But summer whirlwinds wait on summer's sun ; Where the Five Rivers from Himala run, His snow where Everest rears, Or Alma's echoing crags with war-cry wake The wind-vext Euxine lake. — O Death in myriad forms ! O brutal roar Of battle ! throes of race, and crash of thrones ! Imploring hands, and wreck of whitening bones In Khyber pass ; — Or woman's stifled cry, And that dark pit of gore ! — Yet night had light ; for He was by, Her heart, her strength, her shield. Twin-star in the Throne's radiance self-conceal'd ; Love's hand laid light on hers, guiding the ship unseen- For God's best grace in Albert bless'd the Queen. IV But at our side each hour with ambush'd sword Death hurries, nor for prayer nor love delays ; In God's own time His harvest-sheaves are stored, * For My thoughts are not your thoughts,' saith the Lord, ' Nor are your ways My ways.* He Who spared not the Son His bitter cup, The broken heart binds up In His fit hour, All-Merciful! — And she, The desolate faithful Mother, in the nest By children's love soft-woven, has found rest ; Some constant to her side, if some have flown The Angels' road, and see The Vision of the Eternal Throne : — With them, 'tis well ! — But thou, Strong through submission, to His will dost bow, Till God renew the home in that far realm unseen. And bless with all her lost ones England's Queen. Yet in great Nature's changeful mystic dance Joy circles grief, gay dawn outsmiles the night : 'Tis meet our song should build its radiance Like some high palace-porch, and walls that glance With gold and marble light: Now fifty suns 'neath one firm patriot sway Have whirl'd their shining way. — Lo Commerce with the golden girdling chain That links all nations for the good of each; While Science boasts her silent lightning speech Swifter than thought ; and how her patience rein'd To post o'er earth and main The panting white-breath'd Titan, chain'd Bondslave to man : — and won The magic spark o'erdazzling star and sun From its dark cave : for He, the all-seeing Lord unseen Enlightening, bless'd the years of England's Queen. VI Freedom of England! from thy sacred source Where Alfred arm'd in Athelney, welling pure, With hero-blood dyed in thy widening course, — What loyaler hand than her's to guide thy force Down ancient channels sure ? Honour of England! in what bosom stirs Thy soul more quick than her's ? Yet in her days . . . . O greater grief, than when In years of woe, the years of happiness Flash o'er us, — to behold, — and no redress, — Some deed of shame we cannot cure nor stay ! Our best, our man of men, Martyr'd inch-meal by dull delay! Ah, sacred, hidden grave ! Ah gallant comrade feet, love-wing'd to save. Too late, too late ! — But Thou, Whose counsels work unseen, Spare us henceforth such pangs, spare England's Queen ! VII O MUCH enduring, much revered ! To thee Bring sun-dyed millions love more sweet than fame, And happy isles that star the purple sea Homage ; — and children at the mother's knee With hers unite thy name ; And faithful hearts, that throb neath palm and pine, From East to West, are thine. For as some pillar-star o'er sea and storm Whole fleets to haven guides, so from that height One great example points the path of Right, And purifies the home ; with gracious aid Lifting the fallen form. See Death by finer skill delay'd ; Kind hearts to wait on woe, And feet of Love that in Christ's footsteps go ; Wild wastes of life reclaim'd by Woman's hand unseen : All England bless'd with England's Empress Queen. VIII And now, as one who through some fruitful field Has urged the fifty furrows of the grain, — Look round with joy, and know thy care will yield A thousandfold in its due day reveaVd, The harvest laugh again : — E'en now thy great crown'd ancestors on high Watch with exultant eye Thy hundred Englands o'er the broad earth so wn, And Arthur lives anew to hail his heir ! — O then for her and us we chant the prayer, — Keep Thou this sea-girt citadel of the free Safe 'neath her ancient throne, Love-link'd in loyal unity ; Let eve's calm after-glow Arch all the heaven with Hope's wide roseate bow : Till in Time's fulness Thou, Almighty Lord unseen, With glory and life immortal crown the Queen. OXFORD: AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED LOAN DEPT. This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. MAY 2 1986 / ! LD 21A-45m-9,'67 ., .General Library (H5067sl0)476B Umversity of Califorma Berkeley