Now harmony striketh a tender chord
In the lay true Loyalty sings;
For the offering which she brings
Is dearer than trophy won by the sword.
Praise for those virtues which never wax old,
Lustrous gems in a noble life;
Praise for the calm amid the strife;--
Serene is the spirit of sterling gold.
Rolls from our vision the mist of the years,
Adown through the dark aisles of time,
Life's canvas, with picture sublime,
In its radiance of beauty, appears.
Soft falleth the sun of a kindly zone
On the Abbey, so old and grey;
On the tomb of a former day;
Bathing in splendor the image of stone.
Sparkling in flame on the jewelled brow
Of the peeress, highborn and fair;
Anon on the mouldering chair,
Yclad of the royal, pure ermine, now.
Arrayed in the trappings of princely state,
Loadstar of a glittering band;
Our fair young Lady of the land--
She stands--the greatest where all are great.
Crowned with the crown which her brave fathers bore,
Largess of honors kiss her feet;
Enwraps her with dignity meet
Prestige of might, as the birthright of yore.
High-throned in the love of a nation's heart,
Rich treasures of promise, I ween,
Cheer the steps of our youthful Queen;
Lighten the future, and courage impart.