English poem
Henry V
by Florence Earle Coates (1850–1927)
WHEN Nature takes away the things we prize, With all a mother's patient tenderness She soothes us, and from treasure limitless Brings forth new joys to gladden our grieved eyes.
Before the leaves fall fluttering to the ground Affrighted at the very breath and sound Of the wind's passion, she from blight and storm Garners the seeds of Summer, safe and warm.
She knows, though glad and sweet the wild bird sing, How soon the trillium of the wood shall fade,— Nor longer with its stars illume the shade,— She knows, and harvests for a future Spring;
And though about her winds of Autumn sigh, And though the rose—the rose, itself, must die, And though the lordly pine that scorns to bend Must fall at last,—she knows there is no end.
Sure of her birthright—elemental, vast,— Calmly she waits; but man, to whom is given Earth in its fullness and the dream of heaven, Still looks with fond regret unto a past
Whose colors fade not in the distant light, But rather to his worship grow more bright, And careless as to that the future saith, Pays tribute to the nothingness of death.
When the fourth Henry, in that chamber called Jerusalem, lay dying, with what fear, Knowing the Angel-of-the-Shadow near, Must he have viewed the future and, appalled, Beheld succeeding to his perilous throne— To reign and rule alone— One who to Folly turned a laughing face, Dallied with Fortune, and out-dared Disgrace.
More grievous, as the fatal hour drew nigh, More dreadful than the death he might not fly, More poignant than regret or mortal pain Or memories of woeful Richard slain,— More tragic than all else to him the thought That his own offspring, in but little while, Consorting with the worthless and the vile, Should bring his dearly purchased good to naught.
Fainting, the King saw sorrows multiply, And out of weakness dared to prophesy Evil of Harry Monmouth! nor might guess How idle his distress For one whose future Honor should secure In human hearts and in heroic story,— The King new found, new crowned, at Agincourt,— Great England's darling and her future glory!