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Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton - The Chapel Royal St. James’s, On The 10th February, 1840
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I.

ONCE more the people meet, 
With glad expectant faces: once again 
The fair young monarch and her lovely train, 
With slow and gentle feet, 
Move in a solemn ceremony on; 
And jewels glitter in the morning sun! 
II.

Not long, oh! Time, not long 
It seems, since crown`d as Britain`s welcome Queen, 
The like fair sight in fair array was seen; 
And the hush`d listening throng, 
Watching those steps thro` Westminster`s proud aisle, 
Wept with full hearts, tho` joyous all the while. 
III.

And they come forth anew, 
In bridal white, that gentle virgin band, 
The chosen flowers of Britain`s happy land; 
For holy love and true 
Hath wrought an hour of hope without alloy-- 
A fairy sight of splendour and of joy. 
IV.

There,--with her locks of light, 
Gleaming like gold around her noble head,-- 
The orphan`d ELEANOR, with stately tread, 
Went by, a vision bright; 
Bidding sweet thoughts of love and triumph start 
Into a father`s nd a sister`s heart. 
V.

There,--in her beauty, pass`d 
Young FRANCES COWPER; her transparent cheek 
Blushing the greetings which she might not spea, 
As on the crowd she cast 
The shy soft glances of those dark-blue eyes, 
In whose untom`d depth such sweetness lies! 
VI.

There, with her spotless name, 
The gentle HOWARD, good, and fair, and mild, 
And bright-eyed BOUVERIE, noble Radnor`s child, 
And rose-bud VILLIERS came; 
And, with her sweet frank smile, young IDA HAY, 
Looking all gladness, like a morn in May. 
VII.

There, brilliant LENNOX moved; 
The Paget beauty shining from her brow, 
And the dark, deer-like eyes that glanced below: 
While, gentle and beloved, 
Amid the glories of that courtly throng, 
DELAWARE`S youthful daughter pass`d along. 
VIII.

There, (theme for poet`s praise!) 
With swanlike throat, and clear majestic eye, 
VERULAM`s stately MARY glided by, 
And, with her quiet gaze 
Fixed smiling on the scene which she survey`d, 
The soldier ANGLESEA`S bright ADELAIDE. 
IX.

And she, whose orbs of blue, 
Like mountain lakes beheld by moonlight, gleam 
With all the shadowy softness of a dream 
Such as Endymion knew: 
Whose glossy locks with rich luxuriance twine 
Around her brow: the Lady WILHELMINE. 
X.

Young were they all--and fair,-- 
But thou, VICTORIA, held`st thy fitting place, 
As amongst garden-flowers the lily`s grace, 
Blooms with a royal air; 
And from that lovely various group, apart, 
Dids`t stand, and gently look the Queen thou art. 
XI.

The smile thy young lip wore, 
Spoke joy to Him, who, from his distant home, 
Hath sped in wintry time o`er ocean`s foam-- 
To seek our island shore, 
With his frank heart, and brow so fair and true, 
Claiming thy love-and England`s welcome too. 
XII.

Oh! may that welcome prove 
The herald of deep gladness;--since in thee 
Old England`s brightest hopes renew`d we see, 
All-hallow`d be thy love; 
And still with proud content the day allied, 
When Princely ALBERT claim`d his Royal Bride! 
XIII.

May He, whose gifted hand, 
Hath twined sweet wreaths of Poetry and Song; 
Live happy among English heart so long 
That, native to the land, 
He shall forget that e`er his harp was strung 
To any accents but our mother-tongue: 
XIV.

And Thou,--Oh! may the Crown 
Which in youth`s freshest, earliest moment, graced 
The brow, whose childhood`s roses it replaced, 
Ne`er weigh thy spirit down; 
Nor tearful hours, nor careful thoughts, beguile 
One ray of gladness from thy gracious smile: 
XV.

But brightly to the last, 
Fair Fortune shine, with calm and steady ray, 
Upon the tenor of thy happy way; 
A future like the past: 
And every prayer by loyal subjects said, 
Bring down a separate blessing on thy head!
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