Earth's lordliest commonweal.

VI

And now that fifty years are flown

Since in a maiden's hand the sign

Of empire that no seas confine

First as a star to seaward shone,

We see their record shine.

VII

A troubled record, foul and fair,

A simple record and serene,

Inscribes for praise a blameless queen,

For praise and blame an age of care

And change and ends unseen.

[Pg 176]

VIII

Hope, wide of eye and wild of wing,

Rose with the sundawn of a reign

Whose grace should make the rough ways plain,

And fill the worn old world with spring,

And heal its heart of pain.

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