^Albert the Goa ^.lffS':3it J^/i//f^^. PiincR Albeit. Cornell University Library PR 4265.B4M5 Memories of Albert the Good; stanzas. 3 1924 013 445 964 MEMORIES ALBERT THE GOOD. STANZAS BY ALEXANDER BUCKLER, Author of ■■ An Ode to H,R.H. the Princess Alexandra, on her landing in England: "An Ode to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, on the iirth 0/ his Son (^Albert Victor):" "An Ode to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, on his ha^fy restoration to health : " Tales and Legends in Verse;" etc. (Eton CoIUge: WILLIAMS AND SON. LONDON: SIMtKlN, MARSHALL, AND CO. 1879. 3> 1\.\(\<\Z'^% The whole profit of the sale of these Stanzas will be devoted to the " Windsor and Eton Albert Institute^' the objects of which are " To secure for Literature, Science, and " Art an acknowledged home, and to erect a fitting Local " Memorial of the late Prince Consort!^ The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013445964 To HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS CHRISTIAN, OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, ILLUSTRIOUS AND REVERED FATHER ^re JietticateU BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS'S GRACIOUS PERMISSION. ixdutt. [|ANY of the following verses were written before the publication, in 1875, of Mr. Theodore Martin's "Life of His Royal Highness Prince Albert," which has yielded me a fund of information, unattainable before ; but, as I wish to narrate " memories " only, I cannot amplify them by anything which I have since learned from that delightful source, but which I do not actually remember. I could easily have multiplied instances of the Prince's kindly nature, but have been content with one illustration of his sympathy with the bereaved poor, in the case of the orphans of Deal ; and one instance of his feeling for the afflicted rich, in the case of Mrs, Anson. My aim has been to hold up the integrity, the beautiful simplicity, and singleness of purpose of His viii. Preface. Royal Highness, affording at once a rare model for imitation, and a subject for poetical' thought : I regret only that my power of expression falls so far short of my appreciation of a character so beautiful, and of a theme so exalted. In the hope that these stanzas may, even in the remotest degree, advance an Institution, which, while adding another memorial to the revered name of " Albert," is to " secure for Literature, Science, and Art an acknowledged home," they are published in aid of the funds of the "Windsor and Eton Albert Institute," now building in Windsor. Wanderers' Club, Pall Mall, Christinas, 1879. MEMORIES ALBERT THE GOOD. yW.EMORiEs OF Albert the Good Hail, Memory ! thou mirror of the past ! Thou tablet of the mind ! Like wax, so free Impressions to receive ; yet holding fast, Like deeply chiselled stone, tenaciously The record of days gone. Oh,, come to me ; Bring me, oh, Memory ! from thy fertile clime. The flowers of thought, whose seeds were sown for thee In bygone years ; and let my feeble rhyme Reflect what life has traced upon the sands of time. II. I pray thee, tune ifty harp, oh, fair Thalia, And thou sweet Clio, history's Muse ! my isong Make all thine own, and every line inspire ; For strictest truths to ALBERT'S name belong. How weak is flattery where truth is strong ! I give the mead of praise where praise is due ; 1 give the lie to all the envious throng ' Who on his actions, false construction threw ; Uncharitable truths proceed from charity untrue, III. Extending like a landscape from the ground, Which .in my pilgrimage, I reach to-day, Upon life's journey, as I gaze around I see, still sun-gilt in the travelled way, Bright spots, where time allowed me not to stay ': Peaks, where the rose-hues linger, and afar A blue horizon deepening into grey. Where recollection fails. Oh, age ! unbar Youth's gate, through which the past shines like a. mist-veiled star. '3 IV. 'Tis but to fools that good men seem to die ; ' Their acts, their fame, their light, shine after them And live on still, — as in the midnight sky There seems to glitter many a brilliant gem Extinguished ages since ; 3 whose light to stem The azure depths of space, on fleetest wing Still travels to our world — a diadem Which angel hands, to mortal vision fling ; Such the undying fame of Him whose worth I sing. 1+ For like a comet traversing the sky, He came — he shone— he vanished ; but the arc Through which he passed still glitters brilliantly, And still will shine, that men may ever mark The path of his great soul, from regions dark Where spirits are created, to the shore, All sunny, where shall dwell the deathless spark Of soul, or spirit, speeding on before, To wait the risen man, and live for evermore. IS VI. In war's triumphal shouts he gloried not ; The widow's wail — the orphan's bitter tear — The blood-stained field — the death-winged cannon shot — Sigh — groan — sword^rifle — bayonet, and spear, Lent no false lustre to his bright career ; No bloodshed stained his laurels, yet was he A conqueror in a nobler, holier sphere. Who vanquished ignorance and misery : Such foes will ever bless, their Victor's victory. i6 VII. For in the steadfastness of his intent, His great, pure soul its noble course pursued Onwards — still onwards — right nor left he bent In all his labours for the people's good ; Forward — still forward — in the front he stood, To foster science or to solace woe ; The head of that exalted brotherhood, Whose simple happiness it is to know The peace and heavenly joy which from good actions flow. >7 VIII, The open heart — which' makes the open hand ; The single mind that seals its own success ; The noble soul, which every stern demand Of charity enlarged, — the acts which bless The poor, the widow, and the fatherless ; The humble spirit, seeking no man's praise. Accounting its good works but nothingness ; All these were His — ^ahd fame, which ne'er decays, Has crowned His Royal brow with everlasting bays. )8 IX. From ducal Rhine, borne X)n the eastern breeze To royal Thames.^rom Coburg's feudal tower's- To Windsor's massiVe kieep, whose zope of trees The home o£' England's Majesty embowers,^ ■■ ^ There went a rumour, in the spring- tide hours, Of Albert's coming visit ; and his name Suffused the lahd-^-as come the early showers To tell of saHlmer's advent — ere he came. The manly Prince, the princely man, though young, well-known to fame. ---• • 19 X. For mothers told their children of his deeds, That he, in early youth, the gift divine Of poetry employed for other's needs ; And how, inspired by the melodious Nine, He formed his first benevolent design, And poured his soul in German songs, to raise Provision for the poor. The storied Rhine- — New wealth acquiring in the Prince's lays — ^ His youthful songs received and murmur'd forth his praise. XI. He came to England as Victoria's guest, — Came, saw, and, Caesar like, he conquered, too ; Though Courtly etiquette compelled his breast Its secret to retain, it struggled through Those windows of his soul — whose brilliant hue Gleamed brighter with the fire of love beneath — ; In silent language, speaking fond and true ; Eye language is more eloquent than breath, — What lips to ears speak not, eye to eye witnesseth. XII. 'Twas at a Palace ball our youthful ^UEEN, Long since prepared by her advisers good, With maiden diffidence preferred to screen Behind a token,'* ever understood, Her Queenly right of asking ; maidenhood Prerogative o'ercame, and, speechlessly, Her bouquet, overflowing with love's food, And symbols eloquent, and poetry, To- Albert's hand gave o'er,: with her heart's fealty. XIII. And he, to typify the emptiness Which: his heart felt before lovej's fulness came, And by a graceful action to express The pent-up feeling which he might not name^ Which filled its caverns now with, holy flame :" :. With ready-blade his tunic severed wher6 His heart throbbed wildly with the hope to claim A Queen so noble, a Princess so fair ; ; And placed, with joy and pride, the gracious token there. 2-1 XIV. Nor was their happiness a selfish thing : Lord Melbourne, too, was glad — the nation smiled. Stockmar rejoiced. The Belgians' aged King, — Almost a father to his sister's child, — Like Simeons of old, was reconciled To part with earthly things, and pass away. The charm of Albert's name and fame beguiled English and Germans, old, young, grave, and gay, And England's throne from Hanover's more distant stood that day. 24 XV. 'Twas on a misty February morn ; Damp was the pavement ; raw the wintry air About St. James's Palace from the dawn : Yet all the highest in the land were there, And Princes, Dukes, and Peers, and bridesmaids fair. The flowCT of England's old nobility. Birth, wealth, and honours, and attainments rare ; Princes and Barons, too, from Germany, And England's lovely dames and maids of high degree. XVI. The Dukes of Sussex, Cambridge, Wellington, Coburg, and Devonshire, and Somerset, And royal Duchesses — the foremost one [. The Queen's dear mother — nor may I forget Melbourne the Premier, and his Cabinet, - And two young Cambridge princesses beside— ^ ■ All these around St. James's altar met, ■ All marshalled in heraldic state and pride: - And Sussex gave away Hs niece, the -Royal Bride, 26 XVII. And England's Primate joined inJioly^bands,?: The royal pair, whose Jiearts„Kadlong before. Been joined Tjy purest tove^ The Church, joins hands, But Heaven alone joins hearts'; ^and as of yOre, It still, with, prince or peasant, evermore Shall be, that human sbulsc^ore close tan weave. Love's silken cords arqund their own heart's xore^ Than all the sacred words the Clergy breathe, ;.. Time-^honoured biy the Church, if hearts tiiemselves deceive. 27 XVIII. But love, which often is by Heaven denied To royal hearts, was richly shed that day Upon the wedded pair. Oh ! happy bride ! Queen of a thousand isles, from which the ray Of sunlight ne'er departs ! one moment stay Before tlie altar with thy smiling mien Beside thy handsome Consort, while the bray Of cannon rolls — the trumpet notes between. Which peal the anthem forth, " God save our gracious Queen." 28 xlx. A double crowd for five-and-twenty miles, From Westminster to Windsor, lined their way, And strewed their course with flowers, and cheers, and smiles, And blessings greeted them ; and banners gay. With leafy arcs of laurel and of bay, Were reared at every town. Then warm and bright The sun burst forth, and on the fair array His lustre shed, while Eton, with delight. Her College escort" sent to Windsor's castled height. 29 XX- And years of happiness began that day^ A happiness but ;seldom dimmed by grief, (Save when in course of nature passed away, Of either family, the head and chief) — A day auspicious, which in bold relief Stands out from its surroundings, like the belb - Of lilieson the wave, or like^some brief, Bright day of childhood, whereon memory dwells : Its griefs forgetting quite, because its joy excels. 30 XXL Then came the days, wten^prTvate rhappiness Gave way to public duty, and our QUEEN, Her loyal people'shearts to cheer ahd bless, ^ Was daily with her loving Consort seen. ;i v Then, first I saw his handsome, n6ble,:raieri, And manly figure, and his bearing. praised '; With youthfni wonderras, with visionkeenj Upon the Queen ^;id Prince I fireely gazed : High inrmy father's, arms above the crowd upraised. 3' XXII. 'Twas near the cross of Eleanor the Queen, At Charing, and it seems but yesterday, So well I recollect the pleasing scene : Although my hair is changing fast to grey. And I was then a stripling — yet so gay. The pageant seemed — seems, for it will not fade From out my memory — such the gentle sway The Nation owned, and joyfully obeyed ; I wondered with what clay Republicans were made. 32 XXIII. And London's ancient Gothic hall o'erflowed With loyal citizens, their Prince to see ; On whom the Civic Freedom was bestowed, With forms time-honoured, pomp, and pageantry. He came a fellow-citizen to be. Returning honour for the honour done ; Thus the heaven-tinted flowers responsively, Smile back upon the sky, and thus the sun Gilds all the City's spires, to mark his course begun. 33 XXIV. And so commenced the one-and-twenty years, Wherein — by ALBERT'S guiding genius led, And by the ardour, which his name endears — Arts, manufactures, sciences were sped, And schools were built, and charities were fed : While, like the sun among the spheres, he drew Men round him, pure in heart, and great in head. The wise in council, and the just and true. Men, with the power to think, and force of will to do. 34 XXV. One autumn morning, in a crowded street Of London, — far above the hum of men, And din of carriages, and horses' feet. And ceaseless tramp of many a citizen, — I heard a score and one of guns, and then, Before their booming echoes passed away, A score of bell-mouthed towers pealed forth again The news, in merry feu-de-joie, to say, " A son and heir is born to Brunswick's line to-day." 35 XXVI. With universal joy the Kingdom smiled, Queen, Prince, and people, as one family. A nation's hope dwelt on the new-born child, Who further still removed the sovereignty From Hanover : a link in History, Between our ancient Kings, and Kings unknown : One bulwark more for English loyalty In years to come ; one more foundation stone : An anchor to hold fast the Sceptre, Crown, and Throne. 36 XXVII. The days of royal progresses then came, And tours were made to countries far and near, To foreign cities of historic fame, — And visits paid to King, and Prince, and Peer. To France, — to Belgium, — to the mountains dear Of Albert's fatherland. To Erin's lakes, To Scotia's land of mountain, glen, and mere ; To Cornwall's mines, — to Devon's leafy brakes, Where first the nightingale the sylvan echo wakes. 37 XXVIII. To Stowe, to Hatfield, and to Strathfieldsaye, To Treport, Brussels, Coblentz, and Cologne. Ah, well I recollect one sunny day, Though more than twenty years since then have flown To Ehrenbreitstein, " honour's shining stone," I went : whose battlements frown on the Rhine, Where Lahn and Moselle join, yet scorn to own Their finished course, refusing to combine, But strive in tri-hued streams to reach the ocean's brine. 38 XXIX. And as upon the cannon-bristling height I stood, and gazed upon the glorious scene, — Upon my left sweet Stolzenfels, my right Commanding views of terraced vineyards green ; Coblentz before me, and the Rhine between, — My guide and friend, a Prussian captain, said, " Sit here upon these walls, here sat your QuEEN, With Albert, our good Prince, and honour shed, And 'honour's shining stone' with honours over- spread." 39 XXX. And still where'er I went on German land, To Ems, to Heidelberg, to fair Cologne, — To grey historic Frankfort, ever grand In memories of her old Imperial throne ; To ancient Bonn, where every street and stone Is classic ground, — where Royal Albert's name Is honoured and revered for kindness shown. And secret charities, not meant for fame ; I heard one constant voice his acts of love proclaim. 40 XXXI. Again, in England, on the Kentish shore. Where rolls the surf upon the Goodwin Sand, Off Walmer, where the wintry tempests roar, And giant waves rise o'er the sunken land, I heard a rumour of a noble band ; Four fishermen of Deal, who strove to save A foreign crew from death. A struggle grand-^ Magnanimous, intrepid, bold, and brave — They made, but failed, and sank beneath the surging wave. 41 XXXII. And these were husbands, fathers ; and their wives And children wept a litany of tears. Brave men are most beloved in their lives, And in their deaths most mourned ; for craven fears Are alien to the virtue which endears The heart wherein dwells true nobility. All honour to the boatman, brave, who hears A brother's voice appealing from the sea, And nerves his heart, and speeds the life-boat man- fully. 42 XXXIII. And thcMe four gallant fishermen of Deal Surrendered up their lives and earthly all From simple human kindness ; but to heal The lone, sad hearts which ever vainly call For their uncoffined dead, might well appal The tenderest comforter. " Twice giveth he Who giveth quickly ;" and before the fall Of that wild gale, which lashed the insatiate sea. The Royal bounty came with tenderest sympathy. 4-3 XXXIV. For though no golden gifts could e'er supply The place of those who earned the daily bread, And cherished wives and children lovingly — The bravest, the most loving — yet the head Which prompted aid, and that great heart which bled For orphan's woe and widow's agony. Found sweeter rest that night' for having shed The silvery balm of kindly sympathy, Blent with the golden aid of well-timed charity. 44 XXXV. But all in vain my words — in vain my verse — In vain my memory — and in vain my pen — A tythe of his good actions to rehearse, Or charities unknown to human ken ; For in the lives of Nature's noblest men Are chapters sealed, which but the few may read — Too sacred for the world. I would not, then, Proclaim his secret aid in other's need, For his left hand knew not his bounteous right hand's deed. 45 XXXVI. So turn I from the record of his praise — Praise that were fulsome were it not so true, That simple truth seems flattery ; yet each phrase I use IS all too weak ; for as the dew Distils not on the road, or field ploughed new, Or gravelly path in waste, but on the green And tender grass, and fern, and hare-bell blue. And modest violet in its leafy screen. His bounty fell where'er its want appeared most keen. 46 XXXVII. When England's greatest General was borne To his cathedral tomb by Nelson's side, And thousands came from far and near to mourn Great Wellington, who oft had death defied, And full alike of years and honours, died — I saw the noble Albert in the line Of mourners, and could not the contrast hide Between the two ; though wreaths both brows entwine : One conquered by the sword, and one by love divine, 47 XXXVIII. And day by day some goodly work achieved — Some sorrow lightened, or some action done For others' weal ; some pressing woe relieved ; Some plan devised, or noble deed begun ; Or over ignorance some conquest won ; Afforded him a wide and glorious field Wherein to toil ; and each day's rising sun But lighted him to labours, whose sure yield Of work for love performed, a goodly harvest sealed XXXIX. Yet well he knew that when the bow is bent Too long, it warps and weakens, and he found On Ardverikie's wilds the red deer's scent. And roebuck's track, pursued with fleet-limbed hound ; And rifle's crack, which made the hills resound ; And plupgihg salmon in the Deeside streams, — A genial change, which lent each pulse's bound New health and vigour. Thus the sunlight gleams Through: darkened groves, and paints the flowerets with his beams. 49 XL. But, ah ! how close on Pleasure's rosy heels The tyrant Sorrow treads — so near, that Grief Seems often like Joy's shadow. He who feels His pleasures keenly seldom knows how brief The term of their endurance, ere the thief, Pale Sorrow, comes, like wintry winds in May ; Death at a bridal ; snow on harvest sheaf, And, like an avalanche, sweeps all away. And night's dark shades eclipse the amber hues of day. 5° XLI. And thus it was when gifted Anson died, So young, so strong, that death seemed far away ; In all the fulness of life's surging tide, Struck down before the noon of manhood's day : A scholar so accomplished, that the ray Of his attainments would have marked his name, As one his country might with pride survey Inscribed — when days of " learned leisure " came — In letters golden-hued upon the scroll of Fame. 51 XLII. The Prince's Treasurer,^ cpnipaniQn, friend, ; From Scotland travelling with the Royal _parr, His last farewell -at .Derby took, to spend Some happy weeks in Needwpod's. forest fetr, ; His loving wife with joy irpjbinlrig there. But ere the first flush of their bliss was o'er. One sharp and sudden pang, too keen to bear, : Flashed through his brain^— her loving arms upbore His stricken form two hours^then Anson was nO more. 52 XLIII. Ah ! wJio shall tfell her anguish, when the sun Of her young life in noon-day brightness set? How vain are words, to speak, of life begun. And ended when love's spring and. summer met ! No child to.soothe her 5olitude^-but yet As much as earth could, give of sympathy On her was shed : for. Royal -eyes were Wd:^ With tears "unchecked in her adversity. Who gleans: where death has -reaped,- gains naught but misery. 53 XLIV. But manly hearts, borne do«yn by deepest grief, Rebel riot against Heaven's supreme decree, And laws unchangeable, but find relief In hard and honest toil continually ; And Albert's greatest work, the industry Of nations to collect, the project weaved : Two years he laboured on incessantly ; And what his world-improving mind conceived, \Vith Paxton's skill to aid, his diligence achieved. 54- XLV, And day by day an serial structure rose ; Apparently so slight, and yet so strong : So vast, that its proportions, grand enclose, At either end of its nave's vista long, Two stately elms, which giants seem, among The fountains, and the flowers and statues fair. And works of art and industry, which throng Nave, aisles, and galleries ; and banners rare, In gorgeous blazonry, each nation's place declare. 55 ,XVI. A thousand workmen reared the fairy h^U ; Ten thousand more for two years toiled to fill • Its courts, and galleries, and aisles, with all Art could produce; or cunning workmen's skill Could fabricate. And as the trickling rill, Becomes a river, from whose fertile bed ■ The meadows drink their nourishment until The waving harvest bends its golden head, So twice ten thousand mouths by Albert's -band were fed. 56 XLVII. It was a grand and memorable day, One not to be forgotten in a life, ■ That smiling,' glorious, balmy first of May— ' The Exhibition's birthrday ; when the strife Of hammer, and" of anvil, which were rife Until the latent moment,* ceased to din ; And chaos changed to order — -drum and fife; And guns without, the loiid Salute begin. And England^s : Anthem : peals from organ- notes within. 57 XLVIII. Hark ! 'tis the glorious march from Athalie ; The long procession winds in Regal state, Through nave and aisles toward the canopy, And dais, and throne : Queen, Prince, and Potentate, Ambassadors, Commissioners, all wait And stand to hear the Dedication read ; A thousand voices then reverberate Around, by grand orchestral music led. As through the building vast the glorious chorus spread. 58 XLIX. And Albert stood beside The Queen, and gazed Upon his finished work." He who gave birth From his creative mind to all,' and raised The glittering Palace, and from all the earth Obtained art treasures, gems of priceless worth, Inventions beautiful, and sculpture rare. From every land embraced in ocean's girth ; Stood calmly breathing his thanksgiving there, While Handel's " Hallelujah " shook the palace fair. 59 L. Then on a irighf at grand unwonted :state,. I visited the Opera, to see The French Imperial visitors^:anJ great.' The concofiftseiwa^/and' great the loyalty ; Victoria with Napoleon, Eugenie With Albert, entered to the thrilling sta^^es Of either nation's sOngs alternately- " God save the Queen" — " Britannia rules t}ie waves^ -■^- And "Tartant pour la' Syde," tlie iong~©f Gallic braves. 60 And Princes and Princesses fair were born : Bright buds of promise-^jewels in the Crown, And flowers of happiness who still adofa Their high position ;_ worthy the renown,. Of ancestry; illustrious, handed down, Almost a:lbousand years ;, for Albert's care,: .." The while sufficing, other cares to drown, By loving nurture, priixciple, and prayer Imbued his children's "minds with wisdom's precepts fair. 6i LII. It was a privilege — which twice was mine — To listen to his words, and watch his face All glowing with a radiance divine, Soul-lit and beaming. As his thoughts apace Flashed forth, too swift for utterance, the trace Of kindliness was mirrored, through the strife Of varying emotions ; while the grace Of intellect his features filled with life. As some fair volume gleams with illustrations rife. 62 LIII. His was true genius and true virtue too ; He did his duty honestly and well, Where most men would have failed, or feared to do That which unfriendly comment might impel ; But Albert could the cynic's shaft compel, Against his truthful breast to break or bend, The single-purposed in chaiii-armour dwell, ' And he, with charity which knew no end, His enemies forgave, and ne'er forgot a friend. 63 LIV. For enemies he had— ah t who has not ?_ The pure young maid who knows tJo earthly taint. The world-ignoring hermit in his grot, The sacred preacher, and the holy saint," Whose self-denying life is all .restraint ;"- The pure in heart, the great in charity. The nursing sister with night-watching faint, All suffer from detraction's enmity, All feel the poisoned shafts of baseless cakmm\- 64 LV. But though his coward enemies attacked His motives pure — their craven names unknown- For one and all the manly courage lacked The authorship of what they wrote to own, Complaining of " a voice behind the throne," When he sage counsel gave ; right royally, By silence dignified, his scorn was shown ; He wins who waits, while his accusers flee, And Parliament upheld his truth and probity. LVI. For he was upright, humble, just, and true, His own opinions sinking," aiming not At individual power, and very few Like him possessed the wisdom to allot To every man his value. Scheme and plot. He fathomed quickly ; bade the courtier flee. The sycophant retire ; while to each spot His presence lit, flocked minds of high degree. To grace Victoria's Court, renowned for purity. 66 LVII. Would'st thou, like him, obtain mankind's esteem ? Preserve thine own, and leave to Heaven the rest. And yet esteem not thou thyself, but deem The monitor impartial in thy breast, A guide unerring ; let not interest, Pride, prejudice, sin, self, or earthly clod, Obscure the voice of thine indwelling guest ; Crush not the lilies rising through the sod ; When conscience speaks to thee, it is the voice of God. 67 LVIII. Would'st thou, like him, be upright, just, and true ? Let no divided purpose fill thy mind ; But what thou deem'st to be thy duty, do With singleness of aim, and thou shalt find That he who feeds, clothes, warms, or cheers man- kind. His own soul cherishes, sustains, and stays ; Feed then the hungry, cheer the sick and blind, Reclaim the erring, and the fallen raise ; ■ Bread on the waters cast returns in many days." 68 LIX. The poor are poor, that rich men's hearts may melt ; The rich are rich, that poor men may be fed ; Where poverty and sickness are unfelt, Sweet Charity, which feeds on love, lies dead, Or dormant, but she thrives upon the bread. Which she to others gives from her own store ; And to her loving ear, the kindly tread Of gentle footsteps to the sick man's door. Is cadence sweeter far than poet's well-tuned lore. 69 LX: Would'st thou be charitable ? Take thy pen, Each week when man's time is about to cease, And God's day to begin, and note down then The sum of all thy worldly wealth's increase, From which, if thou would'st seek thy rest in peace. Set by a tenth for Him who gave it thee ; But let not this thy conscience all release, Nor think thyself from obligation free, This is God's due alone — it is not charity. LXI. This done, then ask the question of thyself, What blessings in thy pathway have been strewed ! If perils passed, or unexpected wealth. Success achieved, or health and strength renewed, Make no demand as mercies to be viewed. For these, an offering bountiful and free, Make thou to Heaven with fervent gratitude. For all its gifts bestowed on thine and thee. And what thou givest more, alone is charity. V LXII. Thus shall the bright example ALBERT shed, Like rich grain sown, a fertile harvest yield ; " He being dead yet speaks : " the illustrious dead Behind them leave a rich and well-sown field, Embued with living germs, to be revealed In constant life, and teeming fruitfulness. His works still prosper, for his wisdom sealed The firm foundations of their sure success ; As age on age rolls on, each age his name shall bless. 72 LXIII. Not quite a King, yet more — a brilliant reign He made more brilliant ; never had a King An Arthur or an .Alfred in his train, So vast a dower of benefits to bring. None knew his worth till his bright soul took wing, As some great crested wave dissolves in spray. All suddenly dispersed, nor lives to fling Its diamonds pure upon earth's tainted clay, To higher spheres exhaled, to bask in Heaven's pure ray. 73 LXIV. Not quite a King — yet many crowns he wore : Art claimed him as her Prince, and science fair Adorned with palms the stately brow, which bore Right Royally its honours. Though no care To gain applause he took, a wisdom rare, A matchless judgment, an unselfish aim, A rectitude no slander could impair, His children leave a legacy of fame : That great inheritance — a pure unspotted name. 74 LXV. The ancient trees of Windsor's forest sighed, And bowed their stately heads — the winds sad wail, Moaned through the barren boughs, whose leafy pride Below was rustling in December's gale. An influence unknown made all things quail. For God's right hand was beckoning Albert o'er Death's gloomy valley, through the skies to sail, To hear His voice upon the golden shore, " ' Ye did it unto Me,' here dwell for evermore.'' 75 LXVI. He died in his full manhood, while youth's fire Still in the outworks of his being flowed ; Ere age or illness made his strength retire, Half-vanquish'd to the citadel", where glowed A soul, which all its energies bestowed Upon the people's weal — all silently In night's dark watches, traversing the road, Which leads to brighter worlds ; whose gate sets free The earth-bound soul to rise, and soar eternally. LXVII. Sweet is the slumber of the holy dead, No laurels need they o'er their peaceful grave : The melancholy yew and cypress shed No thoughts of hope as their dark branches wave. When good men's souls " return to God who gave : " The poor man's blessing, in their parting hours Mementos more enduring shall engrave Than meretricious laurels. Brightest flowers Should deck the Christian's tomb to tell of heavenly bowers. 77 LXVIII. In Windsor's ancient forest Albert sleeps, Environ'd by the trees he loved so well ; Where silent Nature, lovely mourner, keeps Her watch around the marble citadel Wherein he lies entombed — a sacred cell, Which guards his body from earth's common clay : And loving ones, whose hearts with sorrow swell, Bring blooming flowers upon his tomb to lay, Enwreathed in circled bands, the types of endless da\-. LXIX. Nor is his tomb his only monument : Two other grand " memorials " to his name, And blameless life, and virtues eminent, While marble shall endure — will speak his fame. The one, where Schools of Art and Science claim The site his labours purchased for all time : The other, where proud Wolsey's selfish aim A cenotaph had decked, in death to climb The tomb of Kings/3 but met, a Nemesis sublime. 79 LXX. " He who exalts himself shall be abased : " And Wolsey's tomb three hundred years remained A monument to fallen pride — disgraced From all his honours ; hardly he obtained A refuge and a grave. But he who gained His honest fame by labours diligent, A shrine in loving British hearts attained And Windsor' . glories in the thousands spent To deck the twice-foiled "• tomb, for Albert's monument. 80 LXXI. And there in sculptured effigy he lies In polish'd marble ; and the walls around Glow with entablature inlaid, which vies With mediaeval art ; bright hues abound Of porphyry and malachite ; the ground, Roof, walls, and storied windows, equally With ornament replete ; nor is there found One spot from costly decoration free ; Lake- like, the polished floor reflects all faithfully. LXXII. Hard by, the organ — which he loved — forth peals, Oft times his own, some heavenly melody ; An.d soft as angel's whisper'd words it steals, Or, like a torrent, rolls in majesty Throughout the Garter-chapel's sanctuary ; Where, o'er his vacant Stall, his helm, and crest, His Garter-plate and mantle, silently His rank and ancient lineage attest ; And there his banner hangs in herald's blazon dressed. 82 LXXIII. As when some traveller, with reluctant feet, From Alpine summits passing to the plain. Turns and looks upward from the vale, to greet The Eigher'5 or the Jungfrau once again. Towering above the snow-capped mountain-chain ; So turn I lovingly, and in the flow Of retrospective thought my vision strain ; Albert the Good I see above me glow, His canopy the stars, his crown like purest snow. isA^ «3 NO TES I. See verse 55. " In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace." — Wisdom of Solomon. in. ' ' There is no star whose light reaches us under three years ; there are some of them whose light does not reach us under tliirty years. According to all appearance certain stars could be visible several millions of years after having been destroyed, for the light wlftch is emitted by them takes many millions of years to traverse the space which separates them from the earth." — Camille Flammarion, IV. ' ' At one of the Palace balls the Queen presented her bouquet to the Prince, at the conclusion of a dance. His close uniform, buttoned up to the throat, did not admit of his placing the Persian-like gift where it would be most honoured, so he immediately drew his pen-knife, and cut a slit in his dress, in the neighbourhood of his heart, where he graciously deposited the happy omen. " — Daily Telegraph. The joy of King Leopold when he heard the news of the Queen's eiigagement to H.R.H. Prince Albert was so great that he expressed It in the words of the Nunc dimittis. — See Martins "Life of His Royal Highness Prince Albert." VI. ' ' The Eton boys, wearing white favours, were marshalled to receive the Queen, and escorted her to the Castle gates. " — Annual Register. This happened in November, 1842, during a visit of the Queen and Prince Consort to the Duke of Wellington at Walmer Castle. VIII. " October 8th, 1849. — At Needwood, Staffordshire, aged 37, George Edward Anson, Esqre. , Keeper of Her Majesty's privy purse, Treasurer Notes. of the Household to H.K.H. Prince Albert, &c. Second son of ihe Dean of Chester and youngest brother of Viscount Anson. Appointed Secretary to Prince Albert and also Treasurer. » » » He was sworn a Member of the Duchy of Lancaster, under which he held his office in the Forest of Needwood. He was an elegant and accomplished scholar, and iriuch attached to literature and the fine arts. He had attended the Queen and Prince on their visit to Ireland, remained in the Royal suite at Balmoral, and accompanied Her Majesty as far as Derby : he took leave in order to join Mrs. Anson, at Needwood, where his death ensued a few hours afterwards in a fit of apoplexy." — Atmnal Register. i.x. The Exhibition was not quite complete on the ijpening day. .\. The Prince received the first medal, which was " For the original conception and successful prosecution of the idea of the Great Exhibition of 1851." XI. In a letter to the Duke of Wellington, the Prince says that his principle was "To sink his own individual existence in that of his wife ; to aim at no power by himself or for himself, to shun all ostentation, to assume no separate responsibility before the public," etc. — Martin's " Life of H.R.H. Prince Albert." XII. This simile was taken from a sermon on the Prince's death. XIII. Wolsey's " tomb house," so called for many years, was built by Hemy VII. for himself and his successors ; but the King afterwards built a more stately tomb for himself at Westminster, and Hetury VIII. made a grant of his father's first mausoleum to Wolsey. The cardinal at once commenced his cenotaph or tomb : Beneditti, a statuary from Florence, was called in and employed on brazen columns and brazen candlesticks. So far was the work advanced before Wolsey's fall, that the ornaments for his tomb were sold in 1640 as defaced brass for ;i^6oo. {See Jesse's " Windsor Castle.") This building is now the Albert Memo- rial chapel. XIV. "Twice foiled" — first of the body of King Henry \'II. , and again of the body of Cardinal Wolsey. XV. 7 take the Kigher as an emblem of lofty aspiration ; the Jungfratv as an emblem of purity. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. AN ODE TO H.R.H. THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, ON HER LANDING IN ENGLAND. Graciously accepted by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Third Edition. AN ODE TO H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G., etc., etc., ON THE BIRTH OF HIS SON {Prince Albert Victor). Graciously accepted by H.R.H. " The Author is a very accurate and graceful versifier, though we think he ought not to have chosen the blank verse measure for an Ode." — Court Circular. " It is, indeed, genuine gold." — The Queen. AN ODE. Graciously accepted by H.R.H. ALBERT Edward, Prince OF Wales, ON HIS HAPPY RESTORATION TO HEALTH. WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED, Second Kditlon (ivith additions), TALES AND LEGENDS IN VERSE. CONTENTS. 1. Monica . A Tale, in blank verse. 2. Gela : a Legend of the 12th century, in rhyming couplets. , 3. MONTORIO : An Italian Tale, in Spenserian stanzas. 4. The Massacre of the British Monks of Bangor- is-COED, A.D., 613 : An Eisteddvod prize poem. 5. Translations from the French. Revie-ws of the First Kdition. " Rather skilfully done, and Mr. Buckler's talent is undoubted." — Civil Seri'iie Gazette, ' ' The first poem in this small book is ' Monica, ' written in blank verse, which reads smoothly enough. The story is told in a sinjple and natural manner, and is not without beauty and feeling. . . . Mr. Buckler writes with considerable ease and grace, and without much ostentation. Though not faultless, his poems are so pleasant in tone and manner that we hope he will be encouraged to continue the series now commenced." — The Queen. " We think he might have been bold enough to call them ' Poems,' for they certainly deserve the name. . . . The first, called ' Monica, ' is a. little novel in itself, only written m blank verse. . . . This is something more than ' verse, ' it is genuine poetry, for, as we read it, we seem to walk on the 'golden sand,' with the bank of 'shingle steep ' on the one side, and the ebbing ocean on the other, and actually to hear the rippling of the waves as they recede from the sand ; and when the verse terminates, we are startled from our reverie to learn that the sound in our ears is only the melodious cadence of the well-tuned stanza." — Brighton Gazette. " Mr. Buckler is no novice in his art, and these Legends are so admirably narrated that there is little doubt he will continue them." — South Western LLcrald. MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOLCSELLERS. f^ erf/' 1 : "^^^8 s 1 1 3iv sfl 1 Hg 1 WM HP'I^Ih 1 1 ^^BLx THE PRINCE CONSORT. THE QUEEN IN HER STATE ROBES (iss; {From a Photograph by Walery, Regent Stre0i, W. ) ■^.1 S!ISSMS!!Ri« MS sii s iissm i si i M ii i