Now to the gate, King Cole his piping played. The showman's wife from out her window peering Saw, in the road, a crowd with lanterns nearing, And, just below her perch, a man who shone As though white flame were his caparison; One upon whom the great-eyed hawk-moths tense Settled with feathery feet and quivering sense, Till the white, gleaming robe seemed stuck with eyes. It was the grinning glitterer, white and wise, King Cole, who said, "Madam, the Court is here, 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. They ask that all who wish may enter free, And in their princely hope that this may be They send you these plump bags of minted gold." He gave a sack that she could scarcely hold. She dropped it trembling, muttering thanks, and then She cried: "O master, I must tell the men." She rushed out of her van: she reached the Ring; Called to her husband, "Will, the Queen and King, Here at the very gate to see the show!" "Light some more flares," said Will, "to make a glow. 'God save the Queen,' there, bandsmen; lively, boys. Come on, 'God save our gracious'; make a noise. Here, John, bring on the piebalds to the centre, We'll have the horses kneeling as they enter." All sang, and rushed. Without, the trumpets blared. Now children, carrying paper lanterns, made A glowing alley to the circus door; Then others scattered flowers to pave a floor, Along the highway leading from the town. [Illustration] Rust-spotted bracken green they scattered down, Blue cornflowers and withering poppies red, Gold charlock, thrift, the purple hardihead, Harebells, the milfoil white, September clover, And boughs that berry red when summer's over, All autumn flowers, with yellow ears of wheat. Then with bruised, burning gums that made all sweet, Came censer-bearing pages, and then came Bearers in white with cressets full of flame, Whose red tongues made the shadows dance like devils. Then the blithe flutes that pipe men to the revels Thrilled to the marrow softly as men marched. Then, tossing leopard-skins from crests that arched, The horses of the kettle-drummers stept. Then with a glitter of 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 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.