The Washington times., 1936-01-28
GREAT SILENCE
BR0ODS0VER
MULTITUDE
Continued from Page II

palms handled the white drag
ropes OF the gun carriage tenderly
as weaverS might handle strands
Of silver.
Noiselessly, the gliding coffin,
under the royal standard, the i'm
perial crown anu the Sceptre,
moved onward without jar, the
better he might rest in peace.
New King Follows
Up the hill the procession crept,
with the new king following the
old. Foreign monarchS, rulers-to-
be, and the highest chancellors
trudged humbly behind.
Through the castles entrance
went the cortege, it was gate
way used only for burial of a
monarch or greeting of visiting
sovereign. Today's visitor was the
indomitable guest king known as
death.
At the chapel entrance those
silvery aims whistles
sounded even through the tolIing
of the Moscow bell, captured by
gallant British troops at SebaS-
topol, the boom of guns and the
last salute amidst the rising and
falling strains of the dead march.
AS the royal coffin was taken
off the gun-carriage they piped
the late ruler "over the side" and
yet again as it was taken into the
chapel the Royal BluejacketS
piped the admirals farewell, as
to one leaving his ship for the
last time.
Blending with the echoes came
the note of bagpipes rolling like
waves against the old battlementS,
it was the Black Watch and the
Scotch Guards playing the High
land Lament.
It turned out to be a true King
George day, he nearly always
having sunshine at times Of state.
The golden rays made pretty
shadows on the messy squares OF
gray along the old moat walls.
Sunshine Touches Crown
Within the historic chapel was
conducted a burial service fit for
a King who read his Bible fire.
quently, said his prayers each
night and tried to be Christian.
A CLEAN of sunshine touched the
diamonds o fthe Imperial Crown,
flashing radiant colored light
across the nave, as the coffin, with
the crown upon it, was carried
down between the ranks Of Sor-
rowing men and women into the
choir.
The choir was decorated with
tall white lilies and cleaning can
dies at either side. The altar was
gold-draped with it's cloth of woven
tapestry.
The sunlight streamed on King
Edwards golden hair as he walked
with bowed head, eyes fixed to
the ground except for an occa-
sional glance at his mother, Queen
Mary. alongside him.
The Queen held herself bravely
as she walked with a closely-rolled
umbrella in her right hand.
Behind them walked other Brit
ish and foreign royal mourners,
the entire procession still stretch
ing outside the door when the cot
fin was placed upon the catafalque
over an opening in the floor. The
royal burial vaults were below.
Crown Taken Off Coffin
The crown and the sceptre were
taken off the coffin.
King Edward stood at the head
of the coffin, with the Queen at his
right and the royal family grouped
behind them.
All were motionless as the burial
service proceeded, although King
Edward was seen glancing toward
the roof and once toward the
empty garter stall of his father.
Through the chapel came the
gentle voice of the Archbishop of
Canterbury, intoning:
"Man that is born Of woman
:. In the midst Of life we are in
death"
King Edward moved forward
after touching his mother on the
arm.
He took soil from a silver bowl
and sprinkled it Slowly and sadly
over his fathers coffin, which
then slowly and silently began to
sink into it's vault below.
Edward stepped back, turned,
and Joined his mother with a shy,
comforting smile.
The Queen smiled back at her
son as if in gratitude.
King Georges friend and parish
priest, the Archbishop of Canter-
bury, intoned ashes to Ashes, and
Dust to Dust"
And so a King was put to sleep
for the tides of time to flow over
his kindly memory. There lies a
man who was a good King, a King
who was good man.
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