Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/353

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ROUND a cradle courtiers bent Wherein a babe slept royally Beneath the purple robe of state, Gemmed thick with broidered golden bee.

That tiny rosy palm held fast The slender link of empire s chain, On which hung many a waiting hope Of dynasty enthroned again.

Kisses of welcome met its breath, A happy mother s blessing fell From pallid lips above the child, Whose birth-cry stilled a fun ral knell,

Whilst cannon thundered out the news, Flags bloomed like flowers in the air, And down the brilliant avenues Re-echoed vivas ev ry where.

Above poor Louis last low couch Only the tangled grasses bent, As though in pity for the lad So early from Life s battle sent.

No vivas woke that tropic air; Only the mouths of wounds agape