Sir Walter Raleigh (1554?–1618). Poems. 1892.
XXI.Sir Walter Raleighs Petition to Queen Anne of Denmark; 1618
O
Malice win glory, or revenge triumph;
But truth alone cannot encounter all.
Compassion dead; faith turned to policy;
Friends know not those who sit in sorrow’s shade.
Fortune hath changed our shape, and destiny
Defaced the very form we had before.
Malice hath covered from my sovereign’s eyes,
And largely laid abroad supposed crimes.
But know them now, as envy hath described them:
So can I look on no side from despair.
Celestial Powers! you hear, but have determined,
And shall determine, to my greatest happiness.
Cast down my tears, or hold up folded hands?
To Her, to whom remorse doth most belong;
Be justly called the Empress of the Bretanes.
Who should have mercy if a Queen have none?
Save him whose thoughts no treason ever tainted!
For lo! destruction is no recompense.
To strangers, which was only due to One;
Nothing I should esteem so dear as death.
That I, your humblest vassal, am oppressed,
Then cast your eyes on undeserved woe;
Of Her we had, but praise our living Queen,
Who brings us equal, if not greater, bliss.