White Star of Womanhood, whose rays <br />Thro’ years of peace and years of stress <br />Shed wide o’er all thy people’s ways <br />The light of nobleness— <br />A memory in their hearts impearled <br />To nerve thy sons where’er they roam— <br />Empress and Queen o’er half a World, <br />Yet Angel of the Home. <br />Now, when the Shadow of Death has crost <br />The belt of Empire, sea by sea, <br />The wide world weeps that freedom lost <br />A friend like thee, <br />Who strove for righteousness, who wore <br />A hero’s soul in woman’s breast: <br />God fold thee, now thy work is o’er, <br />In robes of rest. <br /> <br />Death came not to thy fearless eyes <br />A King of Terrors, but a friend, <br />Whispering: “Long years of sacrifice <br />At last shall end. <br />Sleep, for the stress of Life is o’er, <br />And on thy heart is laid release; <br />Lay down the Crown of Empire for <br />The Crown of Peace.”<br /><br />George Essex Evans<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/victoria-7/
