Verses from Maoriland/Ave, Caesar!
AVE, CAESAR!
Long live the King! for lo! the Queen is dead!
Bring her in state, that all the world may know
This was the Queen who now lies here so low,
Wrap her in samite, and soft flowers, and shed
Incense and odours round her quiet head;
Bring her in state, and let the city show
A last long reverence, a splendid woe.
This was the Queen, whom Death hath vanquishéd.
Ay thou, O Death, art Conqueror and King!
Thou claimest at the humblest cottage door
Thy homage due, and thou demandest more,
And hast no mercy on the arms that cling;
And at thy word the haughty Emperor
Lays down his sceptre, and the Pope his ring.