Victoria Regina

(June 21st, 1897*)

A thousand years by sea and land
    Our race hath served the island kings,
But not by custom's dull command
    To-day with song her Empire rings:

Not all the glories of her birth,
    Her armed renown and ancient throne,
Could make her less the child of earth
    Or give her hopes beyond our own:

But stayed on faith more sternly proved
    And pride than ours more pure and deep,
She loves the land our fathers loved
    And keeps the fame our sons shall keep.

Henry John Newbolt

Sir Henry John Newbolt was an English poet and author, famous for his ballads such as 'Vitaï Lampada'. He graduated from Oxford and was called to the bar, but he is better remembered for his literary contributions than his legal career. Newbolt served as a government advisor on military and naval literature during World War I. He was knighted in 1915 for his services to literature. Newbolt's work often reflected themes of patriotism and duty.

Henry John Newbolt

The Vigil

Henry John Newbolt, Simple Poetry

The Grenadier's Good-Bye

Henry John Newbolt, Simple Poetry

The Best School of All

Henry John Newbolt, Simple Poetry

The King Of England

Henry John Newbolt, Simple Poetry

English

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Like a fire, like a flame,
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Queen Victoria

A Prize Birthday Poem, 1885.


We do not sing of vast domain--
Empires as vast as ours are seen,
And o'er their millions despots reign;
We sing the virtues of our Queen.

We think of her when but a maid
The message came, "the King is dead!"
And at her feet a crown was laid;
In deep distress of mind, she said:

"In my behalf I ask your prayers."
Then falling on her knees to pray,
She told the Lord her fears and cares,
And sought from Him strength for her day.

He seemed to say, "Child, do not fear;
I will uphold thee with my hand,
And I will make thy pathway clear,
Thy throne establish in the land."

'Twas thus began Victoria's reign,
And God has made her throne secure;
Her enemies will plot in vain,
For it is d...

Joseph Horatio Chant

On A Foreign War Ship's Salute To The Queen's Standard At Osborne.

With their deep voice, monotonous and slow,
The cannon's thunders roll along the sea;
But 'tis in reverence, and to work no woe
Those sounds here reach the shore and onward flee
Past the oak woods that climb the grassy lea,
To strike thy terraces, and palace fair
With stately salutation offered thee
Who of these potent realms the crown dost wear.
So to the fabric of our future fame,
Set in the green oak of our Empire's might:
Shall history's voice, with measured praise, proclaim
Thy life-long love of justice and of right,
And the good era that thy reign hath been.
To hail thee, reverently, Victoria, Queen.

John Campbell

Lady of England.

Lady of England--o'er the seas
Thy name was borne on every breeze,
Till all this sunset clime became
Familiar with Victoria's name.

Though seas divide us many miles,
Yet, for the Queen of those fair isles,
Which gave our fathers birth, there roves
A blessing from this Land of Groves.

Our Fatherland!--Fit theme for song!
When thou art named, what memories throng!
Shall England cease our love to claim?
Not while our language is the same.

Scion of kings! so live and reign,
That, when thy nation's swelling strain
Is breathed amid our forests green,
We too may sing, "God save the Queen!"

George Pope Morris

Queen's Jubilee Ode, 1887.

        Canada proves her devotion
        To her who rules o'er land and sea,
        For loyal thoughts do hearts inspire,
        To make more glorious empire.

        'Tis fifty years since Queen was crowned,
        Her brow with golden circlet bound,
        She was a girl, graceful, fair,
        And has felt joy and anxious care.

        Happy years of married life
        She enjoyed as Albert's wife,
        But Albert died, the wise and good,
        And she was left in widowhood.

        In her reign the power of steam
        On land and sea became supreme,
        And all now have strong reliance
        In fresh victories of science.

        For man doth lightning now employ
        And uses it for message boy,
...

James McIntyre

To The Queen

Revered, belovedO you that hold
A nobler office upon earth
Than arms, or power of brain, or birth
Could give the warrior kings of old,

Victoria,since your Royal grace
To one of less desert allows
This laurel greener from the brows
Of him that utterd nothing base;

And should your greatness, and the care
That yokes with empire, yield you time
To make demand of modern rhyme
If aught of ancient worth be there;

Thenwhile a sweeter music wakes,
And thro wild March the throstle calls,
Where all about your palace-walls
The sun-lit almond-blossom shakes

Take, Madam, this poor book of song;
For tho the faults were thick as dust
In vacant chambers, I could trust
Your kindness. May you rule us long,

And leave us rul...

Alfred Lord Tennyson