The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-12-23 00:00:00

QUEEN, PEOPLE, MID PRINCESS.

THUEk: HEARTH IN ONE.

Our days have been o'er-shadowed with one fear.
Or brightened with one hope, that came and went
Our sleep with fearful listenings has been Herd,
For the great bell through night's hush tolling clear.
With morning's light one thought in all awoke,
One thought was last to watch all brains asleep;
Its grasp on all ineu's work one thought d1:1 keep,
Ti one thought rose and tell each pulse's strike.
Strange grief, to reach the manyantWoued heart
Of this huge city, like a private woo:
Not only to oar islands ends to pi,
But o'er all seas that Britain's sons disport.
Far as earth-girding wires could tidings bear,
Wide-scattered AugiuSaxon hearts to bind,
With mess of dilFring faiths and alien kind,
in earnest utterance of a common prayer !
Why should this Prince's sickness weigh us down,

As it were count dear sufferer's 4',1 or Own?

_...._._. ........
Works there such might in neaniess to a Throne?
Breathes there such wondrous ettlumiee from a Crown?"
We heard but now bud tongues that suf.! and swole,
" We will not brook more rule Of Queen or King ;
And, least of All, the rule of you slight thing,
That claims the Throne when this one's reign is o'er."
Where are those voices now, amidst the semi,!. . . . . .

Of iiritailfd WI row blent with lilitain's prayer,
All for yen seine '' slight thing," lioW lying there,
Wrestliog with Death, on the dark valleys bound!
Is not this England's deeper heart, at one
With sad crowned Mother and with sweet young Wife,
That brooks no crossing current, into strife
With the full tide of loyal love to ran?
Awl when, dark with irreparable lose,
Drew on the day that bears the date of woe.
And life's clogged wheels more heavy seemed to go,
More restlessly the fevered limbs to toss—
A chill o'er more than women's fancies crept.
And firmest natures owned a shrinking fear,
The rush of the dark angel's wing to hear,
As, loves and prayers defying, down he swept !
And when the night passed with no toll of death,
And the morn brought the light of lope once more,
How bwiyantly all spirits seemed to soar,
How all moved lighter step, drew easier breath !
TM scarce we hold our hopes in reason's chain,
When they would hurry us too fast and far.
And chafe at prudence's restraining bar
Front hasty joy, lest it lie dashed again.
Not without blessing is this trial sent
To Nation, Queen, and Prince, howe'er it end
Such priceless lessons with its sulfrings blend
Wisdom to bear them might be cell content.
Has not the Nation proved the love and pride
Wherewith it guardd the blessings it enjoys—
That En land's Crown awl Sceptre arctic toys,
To be held lightly, lightly spurned aside?
That in our good Queen, and our good Queen's heir,
line Nation's love, the Natiiin's life arc bound
That England's cnuchant Lion still is found
Oil loyal watch beside her Una fair I
Reads not the Queen how high a trust is given
To her, alto BO controls love,
Till Royal strength with woman's frame has striven
To lift her spirit doubts and fears alive
To him, scarce yet from Death's cold shadow caught
Scarce rescued from the clutch of the dark K ing—
Who shall pronounce what regained strength may bring,
Of higher purpose and of deeper thought ?
What Live to pay for loves,' freely shiiwn ;
%that care for England, that so caret for him,
Her heart sank low as Ms life's Mid burnt dim,
And leapt rejoicing upward with his own?
Awl henceforth even tenderer than before,
one yearning kindness for that sweet yertmg Wife,
Who for her lord had gladly risked her life,
As Edward's gentle consort risked of yore.
Were there in England's hearts deeper place
Than that she held. henceforth that place were hers ;
. .

Such tenderer than tendtr feelings stirs
Tothe pale sorrow in her loving face.
So, in their fears and hopes, and trust In Heaven,
Three hearts in one—Queen, People, Princess, stand,
And wait the dispensation of God's nand,
Knowing that hand still gives what should he given.
—Poach.