I have quoted so much of this parody because it was one of the first to draw attention to the Laureate's love for the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war, a bellicose spirit which breathes quite as fiercely in his later writings, as in his early songs. In all cases, where he has attempted any Patriotic poem, the main idea seems to be a bloodthirsty hatred of some other nation; at one time, and for some years, it was France, next it was Russia, and latterly some of his writings have been well calculated to revive our long forgotten animosity to Spain. In so doing Tennyson has narrowed the circle of his admirers, for war is far from being the popular game it once was; and the poet, who would be loved of all, should avoid controversial topics. The Laureate's patriotic muse has certainly sung a few noble songs, but many which have been deservedly ridiculed; in his official capacity he has written some of the most exquisite lines in which adulation of Royalty has ever been expressed; for whilst we know that his laurelled predecessors credited the Stuarts and the Georges with precisely the same virtues which he has ascribed to members of the present Royal Family, their _official_ poems were laughed at at the time, and are now forgotten; whilst his have been greatly admired, especially in high quarters, and the coronet which is to reward his poetical loyalty confers on him, and the latest of his descendants, a perpetual title to rule over the people of Great Britain. All honour to the Poet, _as Poet_, as a titled Legislator the choice rather reminds one of the saying of Beaumarchais' hero;--"It fallait un calculateur, ce fut un danseur qui l'obtint," a saying which I may perhaps be allowed to parody thus:--"Il fallait un Legislateur, ce fut un chanteur qui l'obtint" * * * * * THE LAST PEER. * * * * * "Is not a poet better than a lord?" _Robert Buchanan._ * * * * * Alfred the Loved, the Laureate of the Court, The poet of the people, he who sang Of that great Order of the Table Round, Had been a sailing; first into the North, Then Southward, then toward the middle sea; And with him went the Premier, journeying Some said for health, and some, to hatch new schemes With Kings and statesmen. Howsoe'r they came To Denmark's Court, where princes gathered round To hear our Alfred read his songs aloud. And as they voyaged homeward to the shores Of England, where the Isle our poet loved Lay sparkling like a gem upon the sea, They leaned athwart the bulwarks and spake low.