Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Cartwright. 16111643332. On the Queen’s Return from the Low Countries
HALLOW the threshold, crown the posts anew! | |
The day shall have its due. | |
Twist all our victories into one bright wreath, | |
On which let honour breathe; | |
Then throw it round the temples of our Queen! | 5 |
‘Tis she that must preserve those glories green. | |
When greater tempests than on sea before | |
Received her on the shore; | |
When she was shot at ‘for the King’s own good’ | |
By legions hired to blood; | 10 |
How bravely did she do, how bravely bear! | |
And show’d, though they durst rage, she durst not fear. | |
Courage was cast about her like a dress | |
Of solemn comeliness: | |
A gather’d mind and an untroubled face | 15 |
Did give her dangers grace: | |
Thus, arm’d with innocence, secure they move | |
Whose highest ‘treason’ is but highest love. |