Poems (Curwen)/The Birth of a Prince

by Annie Isabel Curwen

The Birth of a Prince.

He has come! the joy bells ring gaily on the summer air;
He has come! our future king, son of Albert Edward's heir.
He has come! our fond lips sing, Welcome! welcome! baby fair!
          First-born of the royal pair.

He has come! the roses say—folding close each tiny bud—
He has come to crown sweet May, with the crown of motherhood.
He has come! O happy day! birds are singing in the wood—
          He has come, our gift of God!

Through those hours with terror rife—when strength was slipping fast away—
While the angels Death and Life strove for victory, as she lay
Wearied out with travail's strife, we could only "watch and pray"
          For thee, loved Princess May.

"Unto you a child is born, unto us a son is given:"
Songs of gladness woke the morn, hymns of praise we sang at even;
Grateful thanks we now return to the Lord of Life in Heaven
          For the precious life He's given.

'Tis a blessed consummation, every loyal heart doth own;
While the pulse of this great nation throbs as proudly as the Throne,
Throbs with joy and exultation for the birth of George's son,
          Heir one day to England's crown.

Scion of a noble race! in thy person may we find
Every attribute of grace that has marked thy royal kind.
Healthy physique, fair of face, with true nobility of mind,
          And geniality combined.

Gold and silver I have none; naught, sweet one, to offer thee;
But my prayers to Heaven have flown, asking that thy life may be
Pure and lovely as her own, who has given life to thee:
          May'st thou live as holily.