_Statecraft and kingly power for ages schooled_
_The nations will; the rod of genius ruled;_
_At last, glad day, a maiden’s gentle hand_
_Sufficed to guide the reins of state by sea and land._
_Then said a voice from heaven, “Her lengthened reign_
_Is to eclipse the pride of kings;_
_A virgin queen has come again,_
_And to all loving homes her blessing brings._
_Soon this queen shall be a bride,_
_And with her faithful prince her state divide,_
_His virtues matched by hers alone,_
_A fitting glory to her throne._
_So shall their perfect lives be blest_
_Till Heaven, who knows our welfare best,_
_Calls him the earliest to his rest.”_
Since hath the gracious sun
Fifty times his year begun,
And she remains, our hope and hourly care,
Her children round her, many a happy pair!
England, be this a day of mirth
From dawn to utmost even!
It is a day to keep on earth;
This day is kept in heaven.
Partake the wine and break the bread;
This day shall all her poor be fed.
There is joy o’er the blessings her reign has showered down,
Yet lone is the star that shines in her crown.
Though sickness and sorrow are common to all,
In our joy let our hearts the departed recall;
Let us think of the friend
In her youth so beloved;
May our blessing attend
On his home far removed!
His name, held so dear, to our children be told!
He loved her, revered her, in days that are old.
He blesses her still, her children among;
For the days that are old are the days that were young.
O the days of our youth, what memories they fill!
We looked on her then, and we look on her still.
Who now blind once beheld her, to her are not blind,
They treasure their queen in their innermost mind;
Who deaf once gave ear to the tones of her voice,
Remember them still, in her accents rejoice.