Page:Alexandrina Victoria - 18th Birthday Tribute.pdf/8

Youth is around thee, ladye of the ocean,
   Ocean that is thy kingdom and thy home,
Where not a heart but kindles with emotion,
   Dreaming of honoured years that are to come.

What is the light of morning's rosy breaking,
   To the young promise of that Royal mind?
What are the hopes of sunny spring‘s awaking,
   To hopes which in thy future are inshrined?

Mighty the task, and glorious the fulfilling,
   Duties that round thy future hours must be;
The east and west depend upon thy willing
   Mistress art thou wherever rolls the sea.

Fair art thou, Princess, in thy youthful beauty
   Thoughtful and pure, the spirit claims its part;
Gazing on thy young face, a nation’s duty
   Bursts forth into the homage of the heart.

O'er thy high forehead is the soft hair braided;
   Be never darker shadow on that brow!
Not yet one tint of youth’s sweet hues are faded;
   The loveliness of promise lights thee now.

Around thee are a thousand hearts addressing
   Prayer for thy sake to every power divine;
No lip that names thee, names without a blessing;
   A nation's holiest wishes are all thine.