bright steel there swept The guard of knights, each pennon-bearer bold Girt in a crimson cloak with spangs of gold. Then came the Sword and Mace, and then the four Long silver trumpets thrilling to the core [Pg 72]Of people's hearts their sound. Then two by two, Proud in caparisons of kingly blue, Bitted with bars of gold, in silver shod, Treading like kings, cream-coloured stallions trod, Dragging the carriage with the Prince and Queen. The Corporation, walking, closed the scene. Then came the crowd in-surging like the wave That closes up the gash the clipper clave. Swift in the path their majesties would tread The showman flung green baize and turkey red. Within the tent, with bunting, ropes and bags They made a Royal Box festooned with flags. Even as the Queen arrived, the work was done, The seven piebald horses kneeled like one, The bandsmen blew their best, while, red as beet, The showman bowed his rulers to their seat. Then, through the door, came courtiers wigged and starred; The crimson glitterers of the bodyguard; The ladies of the Court, broad-browed and noble, [Pg 71] [Pg 72] [Pg 73] [Pg 73] The Court, the Prince, the Queen, all drawing near, We here, the vanguard, set them on their way. They come intent to see your circus play. The Court, the Prince, the Queen, all drawing near, We here, the vanguard, set them on their way. They come intent to see your circus play. [Pg 74] [Pg 74] [Pg 75] [Pg 75] Lovely as evening stars o'er seas in trouble; The aldermen, in furs, with golden chains, Old cottagers in smocks from country lanes, Shepherds half dumb from silence on the down, And merchants with their households from the town, And, in the front, two rows of eager-hearted Children with shining eyes and red lips parted. Even as the creeping waves that brim the pool One following other filled the circus full. The showman stood beside his trembling wife. "Never," he said, "in all our travelling life Has this old tent looked thus, the front seats full With happy little children beautiful. Then all this glorious Court, tier after tier!
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