To the Princess Alice

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)

Second daughter of Queen Victoria. She died on Dec. 14, 1878, exactly seventeen years after her father, Prince Albert.

DEAD Princess, living Power, if that, which lived

True life, live on—and if the fatal kiss,

Born of true life and love—divorce thee not

From earthly love and life—if what we call

The spirit flash not all at once from out

This shadow into Substance—then perhaps

The mellowed murmur of the people’s praise

From thine own State, and all our breadth of realm,

Where Love and Longing dress thy deeds in light,

Ascends to thee; and this March morn that sees

Thy Soldier-brother’s bridal orange-bloom

Break through the yews and cypress of thy grave,

And thine Imperial mother smile again,

May send one ray to thee! and who can tell—

Thou—England’s England-loving daughter—thou

Dying so English thou wouldst have her flag

Borne on thy coffin—where is he can swear

But that some broken gleam from our poor earth

May touch thee, while remembering thee, I lay

At thy pale feet this ballad of the deeds

Of England, and her banner in the East?