Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/289

THE BLAMELESS PRINCE And scarce the King her blossomed youth had seen,

When he, too, slept the sleep, and she was Queen.

Hers was a goodly realm, not stretched afar

In desert wilds by wolf and savage scoured,

But locked in generous limits, strong in war,

Serene in peace, with mountains walled and towered,

Fed by the tilth of many a fertile plain,

And veined with streams that proudly sought the main.

The open sea bore commerce to her marts,

Tumbling half round her borders with its tide;

Her vessels shot the surge; all noble arts

Of use and beauty in her towns were plied;

Her court was regal; lords and ladies lit

The palace with their graces and their wit.

Wise councillors devised each apt decree

That gained the potent sanction of her hand;

Great captains led her arms on shore and sea;

She was the darling of a loyal land;

Poets sang her praises, and in hut and hall

Her excellence was the discourse of all.

Her pride was suited to her high estate,

Her gentleness was equal with her youth,

Her wisdom in her goodness found its mate;

Her beauty was not that which brings to ruth

Men's lives, yet pure and luminous;—and fair

Her locks, and over all a sovereign air.

Without, she bore herself as rulers should,

Queenly in walk and gesture and attire;

Within, she nursed her flower of maidenhood,

Sweet girlish thoughts and virginal desire: 259