Poems (Freston)/In Memoriam
For works with similar titles, see In Memoriam.
IN MEMORIAM
CARDINAL MANNING AND PRINCE VICTOR
So, he has left us! may he sweetly sleep, While for his sake unnumbered thousands weep. O'er all the world the clouds of sorrow lower, For this strong, tender shepherd of the poor. Two princes now are lying cold and dead, Struck by the same dark hand. The head Of one, bearing the finger-marks of fate In human weakness, and the promised weight Of England's crown, with gems by far too bright For blood to dim, or long ago they might Have lost their lustre, for 'twas freely shed, To keep them safely in their golden bed.
The other Prince! Upon his brow of might Rested a coronet, whose gems of light Were deeds of love, were thoughts sublimely fair,And God's own Kingly hand had placed it there, And from its rays, a light flashed o'er the earth,To 'waken charity, give justice birth,To rouse the darkened heart to thoughts of God,And leave more bright the paths his feet have trod.With hands outspread in blessing, o'er the throng,And heart rejoicing in the angels' song,He walked life's pathway from the first to close,As his God willed, and left a light for thoseWho fain would follow on his stainless way,And not by lust of power be led astray.
There is no victory in this blow for death!The central jewel in the crown of faithHas warming rays, that will all time endure,To light the rugged pathways of the poor.He was their hope, their guide, the beacon fireThey watched through storms of woe and darkness dire."A commoner!" and yet a royal road he trod,Prince of a royal house,—the house of God.Oh, to have known him! or that hand to have pressedThat, raised in benediction, truly blessed!Idle his sceptre, his throne vacant now;Can one be found to grace it? or a brow With breadth enough to fill the empty crown, That at death's stern command he now lays down?
The world has grown much poorer now through death, Although he gave to him but fleeting breath, For every pulsing heart his name doth fill;—Onward he goes, God's standard bearer still!