en long years wrought twenty thousand men,
While many thousand carts the marble drew;
And proud Jehan told o'er his love again;
To love so Jacob-like the years seemed few.
From every part of his domain they brought
Rare gems and precious stones of every hue;
Skilled hands, in form of birds and flowers inwrought
In snow-white walls, these gems the building through,
The name of God, one hundred times save one,
On the sarcophagus, by cunning hand,
Then lined with gold ere they pronounced it done;
But then the grandest tomb in any land.
By Titans built, it seems, as mountain high
Of pure white marble, based on pink sandstone;
In length it is a thousand feet well nigh,
Its width three hundred feet by measure shown.
It seems a temple of the living _One_,
Though tomb to hide the dust of Jehan's queen.
It serves each purpose well--her course was run,
Returned to God, love must the dust ensheen.
To many hearts it speaks of God and rest,
And lifts our thoughts above the things of earth;
It teaches us that love will give its best,
And then regard its gifts of little worth.
ENGLAND'S BRAVE SONS
The yeoman lays aside his soil-stained smock,
And from his herd selects a trusty steed,
And sallies forth to help in hour of need;
Nor dreads the battle's shock.
The artisan from mine, or shop, or store,
Responds at duty's call without delay,
Nor stops to ask, "What will my nation pay?"
It calls--what needs he more?
The man of law--the herald of the cross--
The painter, skilled--he of the healing art--
The man of trade--come each with loyal heart,
Nor calculates his loss.
But brave as these are those of noble birth;
Genteel in manner, but with athlete frames,
They do full honor to their ancient names,
And prove by deeds their worth.
Palatial homes have they and wealth untold;
Nor need to labor, and no cause for fret,
But deeds of noble sires they ne'er forget;
Deem honor more than gold.
Brave lads are these on whom we may rely.
They go uncalled, content the gaps to fill,
And in their places fall, if God so will,
For they fear not to die.
The whole Empire is loyal to the core.
From far-off East, brave Indians seek the fray,
And on French soil have clearly shown that they
Were true to flag they bore.
Their old-time leader greets his men once more,
Bestows his parting blessing ere his
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