TO HIS MAJESTY KING ALBERT
Reading edition
By WILLIAM WATSON.
[From King Albert’s Book.]
Receive, from one who hath not lavished praise On many Princes, nor was ever awed By empire such as groveling slaves applaud, Who cast their souls into its altar-blaze— Receive the homage that a freeman pays To Kinghood flowering out of Manhood broad, Kinghood that toils uncovetous of laud, Loves whom it rules, and serves the realm it sways. For when Your people, caught in agony's net, Rose as one dauntless heart, their King was found Worthy on such a throne to have been set, Worthy by such as They to have been crowned; And loftier praise than this did never yet On mortal ears from lips of mortals sound.