Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/297

 272 THE PRESENTATION.

Then the graceful queen, With gentleness and dignity combined, Came in his steps. On her pale brow she bore An impress of that goodness, which hath made Her, as a wife and mother, still the praise And pattern of her kingdom.

Then passed on

At intervals, each with their separate suite, Princes and princess, and the beauteous bride Of him of Orleans, in an English tongue Giving fair greetings. So the pageant closed, And home we drove, well pleased at what we saw, Nor with ourselves dissatisfied. We found More of simplicity than we had deemed Abode in courts ; and this to us, who love Our plain republic, was a circumstance Not to be overlooked. With earnest warmth Of the chief lady of the realm we spake, And of her matron virtues, and that charm Of manner which approves those virtues well To every eye.

And I was pleased to see She had the queenly grace of prudence too, In lesser things ; and on this wintry night Drew downward- to the wrist the lengthened sleeve, And bade her satin robe protect the chest, Deeming most justly that vitality And health outweighed the tinsel modes of dress Coined by the milliner. And I have heard From good authority, and am right glad

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