James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
August 4On the Coronation of Queen Victoria
By Jedediah Vincent Huntington (18151862)August 4, 1838
W
What pomps unwonted flash upon our eyes!
What galleries in gold and crimson, rise
Between the antique pillars of the aisle,
Crowded with England’s gayest life; the while
Beneath, her dead, unconscious glory lies;
Above, her ancient faith still seeks the skies;
And with apparent life doth well beguile
Our senses in that ever-growing roof;
Whence on the soul return those recollections
Of her great annals—built to be time-proof,
Which chiefly make this spot the fittest scene
Wherein to consecrate those new affections
We plight this day to Britain’s virgin queen.