Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF EDWARD VII, by WILLIAM WATSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Honour the happy dead with sober praise Last Line: Pretended not to greatness, yet was great. Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William Subject(s): Edward Vii, King Of England (1841-1910) | ||||||||
HONOUR the happy dead with sober praise, Who living would have scorned the fulsome phrase, Meet for the languorous Orient's jewelled ear; -- This was the English King, that loved the English ways! A man not too remote, or too august, For other mortal children of the dust To know and to draw near. Born with a nature that demanded joy, He took full draughts of life, nor did the vintage cloy; But when she passed from vision, who so long Had sat aloft -- alone -- On the steep heights of an Imperial throne, Then rose he large and strong, Then spake his voice with new and grander tone, Then, called to rule the State Which he had only served, He saw clear Duty plain, nor from that highway swerved, And, unappalled by his majestic fate, Pretended not to greatness, yet was great. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KING EDWARD VII by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB IN MEMORIAM by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON BARON RENFREW'S BALL by CHARLES GRAHAM HALPINE VERSES ON THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES & AKEXANDRA OF DENMARK by JANET HAMILTON A KING'S SOLILOQUY (ON THE NIGHT OF HIS FUNERAL) by THOMAS HARDY ODE ON INSTALLATION OF PRINCE OF WALES AS CHANCELLOR OF UNIV. OF WALES by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907) THE PRINCE OF WALES AT THE TOMB OF WASHINGTON by FREDERICK WILLIAM HENRY MYERS A PRAYER FOR THE KING'S MAJESTY; 22ND JANUARY, 1901 by EDITH BLAND NESBIT |
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