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Dinah Maria Mulock - Coeur De Lion
Work rating: Low

I.

RICHARD the Lion-hearted, crowned serene 
With the true royalty of perfect man; 
Seated in stone above the praise or ban 
Of these mixed crowds who come gaping lean 
As if to see what the word "king" might mean 
In those old times. Behold! what need that rim 
Of crown `gainst this blue sky, to signal him 
A monarch, of the monarchs that have been, 
And, perhaps, are not?--Read his destinies 
In the full brow o`er-arching kingly eyes, 
In the strong hands, grasping both rein and sword, 
In the close mouth, so sternly beautiful:-- 
Surely, a man who his own spirit can rule; 
Lord of himself, therefore his brethren`s lord. 

II.

"O Richard, O mon roi." So minstrels sighed. 
The many-centuried voice dies fast away 
Amidst the turmoil of our modern day. 
How know we but these green-wreathed legends hide 
An ugly truth that never could abide 
In this our living world`s far purer air?-- 
Nevertheless, O statue, rest thou there, 
Our Richard, of all chivalry the pride; 
Or if not the true Richard, still a type 
Of the old regal glory, fallen, o`er-ripe, 
And giving place to better blossoming: 
Stand--imaging the grand heroic days; 
And let our little children come and gaze, 
Whispering with innocent awe--"This was a King."
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