Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/312

THE BLAMELESS PRINCE And still, for honor's and the country's sake,

He set his hands to every noble task;

Held firmly yet his place among the great,

Won by the sword and saviour of the state;

And as in war, so now in civic peace,

He led the people on to higher things,

And fostered Art and Song, and brought increase

Of Knowledge, gave to Commerce broader wings,

And with his action strengthened fourfold more

The weight his precept in their councils bore.

Then as the mellow years their fruitage brought,

And fair strong children made secure the throne,

He reared them wisely, needfully; and sought

Their good, the Queen's desire, and these alone.

Himself so pure, that fathers bade their sons,

Happy themselves, the Queen still happiest found,

And plighted maids still wished their lovers' lives

Conformed to his. Such manhood wrapt him round,

So winsome were his grace and knightly look,

The dames at court their lesser spoil forsook,

And wove a net to snare him, and their mood

Grew warmer for his coldness; and the hearts

Of those most heartless beat with quicker blood,

Foiled of his love; yet, heedless of their arts,

Courteous to all, he went his way content,

Nor ever from his princely station bent.

Beyond all men?" and wist not what they said. 282