Poems (Piatt)/Volume 2/A Queen at Home
A QUEEN AT HOME.
They know that the world is mine
(I am but a name to them,)
And they fancy its jewels shine
All over my garment's hem.
(I am but a name to them,)
And they fancy its jewels shine
All over my garment's hem.
My face seems bright from afar
To their loyal eyes and trust:
But who looks too close at a star
Will find it is made of dust.
To their loyal eyes and trust:
But who looks too close at a star
Will find it is made of dust.
My friend, you have whiter bread;
My friend, you have redder wine,
And a fairer roof for your head,
Though beggar you be, than mine.
My friend, you have redder wine,
And a fairer roof for your head,
Though beggar you be, than mine.
To the poor I give of my gold;
By the wounded I watch at night;
To the eyes of the dying I hold
A cross—not mine own—for a light.
By the wounded I watch at night;
To the eyes of the dying I hold
A cross—not mine own—for a light.
Yes, the world is mine, but I pray
On my cloister floor alone;
My hood and my cloak are grey,
And my pillow is but a stone.
On my cloister floor alone;
My hood and my cloak are grey,
And my pillow is but a stone.