James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
January 22God Save the King!
By Theodosia Garrison (18741944)G
Duly ennumbered in the common plea,
Not only from a court’s monotony
Or tangled trials of State high office brings;
Not only from the licensed jester’s flings,
Not from a Parliament that strives to please,
Or yet from sycophantic drivellings—
God save his Majesty from more than these!
Save him from certain moments that may be
Sacred to pomp and circumstance, when he
Feels ennui stealing o’er him unaware
With that sick longing to be otherwhere,
That makes him envy, aye, and here’s the rub,
That man who may enjoy an easy chair
And cigarette and cognac at a club.
That come when one lies long awake o’ night,
And hears an echo laughter, sweet and light,
Sound from old days more jubilant than wise;
Save him from certain thoughts of certain eyes;
Save him from hearing in his dreams the beat
Of unforgotten, pirouetting feet
That knew no line ’twixt men and majesties.
From all the ills with which our prayer-books ring,
From fools’ advice and wise men’s blundering,
But ever and above all, from himself
God save the King!