As when the snowdrop from the snowy ground Lifting a maiden face, foretells the flowers That lurk and listen, till the chaffinch sound Spring's advent with the glistening willow crown'd, Sheathed in their silken bowers:-- E'en so the promise of her life appears Through those white childhood-years; --Whether in seaside happiness, and air Rosing the fair cheek,--sand, and spade, and shell,-- Or race with sister-feet, that flash'd and fell Printing the beach, while the gay comrade-wind Play'd in the soft light hair:-- Or if with sunbeam-smile and kind Small hand at cottage-door Her simple alms she tender'd to the poor: Love's healthy happy heart in all her steps was seen, And God, in life's fresh springtime, bless'd our Queen. Lo! the quick months their order'd dance pursue, And Spring's bright apple-blossoms flush to fruit; The bay-tree thrives 'neath Heaven's own gracious dew, And her young shoots the parent-life renew Around the fostering root. --The Girl from care in youth's sweet sleep withdrawn Wakes to a crown at dawn! But Love is at her side, strong, faithful, wise, To share the world-wide burden of command, The sceptre's weight in the unlesson'd hand; To aid each nursery inmate,--each in turn Dear pride of watchful eyes,-- To clasp the innocent hands, and learn The words of love and grace, Lifting their souls to the compassionate Face:-- While o'er the fortunate fold the Shepherd watch'd unseen; And home, in all its beauty, bless'd a Queen. Ah! Happy she, who wedded finds in one Wisest and dearest! happy, happy years! But summer whirlwinds wait on summer's sun; Where the Five Rivers from Himala run, His snow where Everest rears, Or Alma's echoing crags with war-cry wake The wind-vext Euxine lake. --O Death in myriad forms! O brutal roar Of battle! throes of race, and crash of thrones! Imploring hands, and wreck of whitening bones In Khyber pass;--Or woman's stifled cry, And that dark pit of gore! --Yet night had light; for He was by, Her heart, her strength, her shield, Twin-star in the Throne's radiance self-conceal'd; Love's hand laid light on hers, guiding the ship unseen-- For God's best grace in Albert bless'd the Queen.