Page:The Unconquered Air, Coates, 1912.djvu/44

 ODE ON THE CORONATION OF KING GEORGE V

"I have vowed to God to lead a right life in all things, to rule justly and piously my realms and subjects, and to administer just judgment to all. If heretofore I have done aught beyond what was just, through headiness or negligence of youth, I am ready with God's help to amend it utterly."—King Canute's letter to his English subjects.

Nature takes away the things we prize,

With all a mother's patient tenderness

She soothes us, and from treasure limitless

Brings forth new joys to gladden our grieved eyes.

Before the leaves fall fluttering to the ground

Affrighted at the very breath and sound

Of the wind's passion, she from blight and storm

Garners the seeds of Summer, safe and warm.

She knows, though glad and sweet the wild bird sing,

How soon the trillium of the wood shall fade,—

Nor longer with its stars illume the shade,—

She knows, and harvests for a future Spring;

And though about her winds of Autumn sigh,

And though the rose—the rose, itself, must die, 28