Early Poems
To the QueenThis dedication was first prefixed to the seventh edition of these poems in 1851, Tennyson having succeeded Wordsworth as Poet Laureate, 19th Nov., 1850.Revered, beloved[1]—O you that holdA nobler office upon earthThan arms, or power of brain, or birthCould give the warrior kings of old,Victoria,[2]—since your Royal graceTo one of less desert allowsThis laurel greener from the browsOf him that utter’d nothing base;And should your greatness, and the careThat yokes with empire, yield you timeTo make demand of modern rhymeIf aught of ancient worth be there;Then—while[3]a sweeter music wakes,And thro’ wild March the throstle calls,Where all about your palace-wallsThe sun-lit almond-blossom shakes—Take, Madam, this poor book of song;For tho’ the faults were thick as dustIn vacant chambers, I could trustYour kindness.[4]May you rule us long.And leave us rulers of your bloodAs noble till the latest day!May children of our children say,“She wrought her people lasting good;[5]“Her court was pure; her life serene;God gave her peace; her land reposed;A thousand claims to reverence closedIn her as Mother, Wife and Queen;“And statesmen at her council metWho knew the seasons, when to takeOccasion by the hand, and makeThe bounds of freedom wider yet[6]“By shaping some august decree,Which kept her throne unshaken still,Broad-based upon her people’s will,[7]And compass’d by the inviolate sea.”MARCH, 1851.[1]1851. Revered Victoria, you that hold.[2]1851. I thank you that your Royal grace.[3]This stanza added in 1853.[4]1851. Your sweetness.[5]In 1851 the following stanza referring to the first Crystal Palace, opened 1st May, 1851, was inserted here:—She brought a vast design to pass,When Europe and the scatter’d endsOf our fierce world were mixt as friendsAnd brethren, in her halls of glass.[6]1851. Broader yet.[7]With this cf. Shelley,Ode to Liberty:—Athens diviner yetGleam’d with its crest of columnson the willOf man.
This dedication was first prefixed to the seventh edition of these poems in 1851, Tennyson having succeeded Wordsworth as Poet Laureate, 19th Nov., 1850.
Revered, beloved[1]—O you that holdA nobler office upon earthThan arms, or power of brain, or birthCould give the warrior kings of old,Victoria,[2]—since your Royal graceTo one of less desert allowsThis laurel greener from the browsOf him that utter’d nothing base;And should your greatness, and the careThat yokes with empire, yield you timeTo make demand of modern rhymeIf aught of ancient worth be there;Then—while[3]a sweeter music wakes,And thro’ wild March the throstle calls,Where all about your palace-wallsThe sun-lit almond-blossom shakes—Take, Madam, this poor book of song;For tho’ the faults were thick as dustIn vacant chambers, I could trustYour kindness.[4]May you rule us long.And leave us rulers of your bloodAs noble till the latest day!May children of our children say,“She wrought her people lasting good;[5]“Her court was pure; her life serene;God gave her peace; her land reposed;A thousand claims to reverence closedIn her as Mother, Wife and Queen;“And statesmen at her council metWho knew the seasons, when to takeOccasion by the hand, and makeThe bounds of freedom wider yet[6]“By shaping some august decree,Which kept her throne unshaken still,Broad-based upon her people’s will,[7]And compass’d by the inviolate sea.”MARCH, 1851.
[1]1851. Revered Victoria, you that hold.
[2]1851. I thank you that your Royal grace.
[3]This stanza added in 1853.
[4]1851. Your sweetness.
[5]In 1851 the following stanza referring to the first Crystal Palace, opened 1st May, 1851, was inserted here:—She brought a vast design to pass,When Europe and the scatter’d endsOf our fierce world were mixt as friendsAnd brethren, in her halls of glass.
[6]1851. Broader yet.
[7]With this cf. Shelley,Ode to Liberty:—Athens diviner yetGleam’d with its crest of columnson the willOf man.