Page:Pleasant Memories.pdf/273

As one tenacious of their scenery,
Through many a lustrum.
                                 Then the graceful queen,
With gentleness and dignity combined,
Came in his steps. On her pale brow she bore
An impress of that goodness, which hath made
Her, as a wife and mother, still the praise
And pattern of her kingdom.
                                         Then passed on
At intervals each with their separate suite,
Princes and princess, and the beauteous bride
Of him of Orleans, in an English tongue
Giving fair greeting. So the pageant closed,
And home we drove, well pleased at what we saw,
Nor with ourselves dissatisfied. We found
More of simplicity than we had deemed
Abode in courts; and this to us, who love
Our plain republic, was a circumstance
Not to be overlooked. With earnest warmth
Of the chief Lady of the realm we spake,
And of her matron virtues, and that charm
Of manner which approves those virtues well
To every eye.
                And I was pleased to see
She had the queenly grace of prudence too,
In lesser things; and on this wintry night
Drew downward to the wrist the lengthened sleeve,
And bade her satin robe protect the chest,
Deeming most justly, that vitality