SONNETS.
107
CŒUR DE LION:
Marochetti's Statue in the Great Exhibition of 1851.
I.
ICHARD the Lion-hearted, crowned serene With the true royalty of perfect man;
Seated in stone above the praise or ban
Of these mixed crowds who come and gaping lean
As if to see what the word "king" might mean
In those old times. Behold! what need that rim
Of crown 'gainst this blue sky, to signal him
A monarch, of the monarchs that have been,
And, perhaps, are not?—Read his destinies
In the full brow o'er-arching kingly eyes,
In the strong hands, grasping both rein and sword,
In the close mouth, so sternly beautiful:—
Surely, a man who his own spirit can rule;
Lord of himself, therefore his brethren's lord.
