Ave Imperatrix

(Written on the occasion of
the attempt to assassinate
Queen Victoria in March 1882)

1 
From every quarter of your land
  They give God thanks who turned away
Death and the needy madman’s hand,
  Death-fraught, which menaced you that day. 
2 
One school of many made to make
   Men who shall hold it dearest right
To battle for their ruler’s sake, 
  And stake their being in the fight, 
3 
Sends greeting humble and sincere—
  Though verse be rude and poor and mean—
To you, the greatest as most dear—
  Victoria, by God’s grace Our Queen!  
4 
Such greeting as should come from those
  Whose fathers faced the Sepoy hordes,
Or served you in the Russian snows,
  And, dying, left their sons their swords.  
5 
And some of us have fought for you
  Already in the Afghan pass—
Or where the scarce-seen smoke-puffs flew
  From Boer marksmen in the grass;  
6 
And all are bred to do your will
   By land and sea—wherever flies
The Flag, to fight and follow still,
  And work your Empire’s destinies.  
7 
Once more we greet you, though unseen
   Our greeting be, and coming slow.
Trust us, if need arise, O Queen,
   We shall not tarry with the blow!

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