Page:The Unconquered Air, Coates, 1912.djvu/46

 30 Consorting with the worthless and the vile,

Should bring his dearly purchased good to naught.

Fainting, the King saw sorrows multiply,

And out of weakness dared to prophesy

Evil of Harry Monmouth! nor might guess How idle his distress

For one whose future Honour should secure

In human hearts and in heroic story,—

The King new found, new crowned, at Agincourt,—

Great England's darling and her future glory!

But how should doubt not add to care its pain

When, after Mary Tudor's baleful reign,

Forth came from prison drear

Another Queen? Yet 't was her spirit, fired

By grave ambition, nobly men inspired

To victories thrice dear,—

Giving her Age to breathe immortal breath,

Illustrious in the name Elizabeth!

Still with misgiving crowns are laid

Upon the brow of kings.

Yet oft have fairest plantings been repaid

With poorest harvestings,

While following vain auguries of ill

To man have come, beneficently born,