THE CROWNING OF A KING.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 110, 9 August 1902, Page 8

THE CROWNING OF A KING.

(FOX IHE FREk LaI<CE.) The flags flew out from mast and tower, ten thousand voices sang. From every spire and belfry the merry joy bells rang, The mighty oainnon roared salute, and echoed through the land, The stirring air, "God Save the King," was played by every band, The town was decked in bunting gay, and everywhere was joy, A mighty throng filled all the streets, and shouted "Vive le Roi!" No tone of discord there was heard, but with one mighty voice, At the crowning of our noble King, tb<» whofe world did rejoice. Within, the Abbey's ancient walls, that edifice so orand,, A band of Princes, gaily decked, from every foreign land, From every clime the nobles came to view the wondrous seene — They came to pay their homage to a gracious King and Queen. Governors!, .statesmen, soldiers, sailors, from every land and sea, From beardless, boys, to white-haired men, came there to bend their knee. They oame with praises on their lips, for one of sucb renown, They came to show their loyalty, their reverence for the Crown. Above that vast assemblage, a portly figure loomed, Dressed out in his regalia grand, and very finely groomed. He wore a certain kingly air that's worn by those that rule — Among those lords and ladies he alone sat calm and cool. He gazed upon the monuments of heroes dead and gone, He picked a niohe out for himself for the world to gaze upon; He oast a glamour round him, in his suit of varied hue, With hisi portly corporation, he took up seats for two. While all were in excitement, for the coming of the King, While trumpets blare, and cannon roar, and myriad job-bells ring; While we sat in awe and listened to the organ's solemn tone, We ea*w that portly figure march right up to the throne. He took his seat with perfect ease, and gazed at that vast crowd; He saw the reverence he caused, for every head was bowed, And when he'd settled in the throne. and courtiers fixed his gown. He bade the stern Archbishop to straightway place the crown. And then the stern Archbishop, who seemed in awe and dread, Amid a solemn silence placed the crown upon his head. The new-crowned King rose to his feet r as if he would beseech They would give him thedr attention just, while; he made a speech. He rose in all his majesty, a gleam was in his eye, Showing fixed determination of now to do or die. When we heard that old familiar voice heard its bluff and hearty ring. We knew that, there upon the throne we had a right good King. While he visibly expanded, like Mark Twain's jumping frog. Until he felt himself a giant, like London's own "Magog," He bade that vast assemblage not to think it idle brag, On every isle and continent he'd -ilace the British flag; He would alter all the land laws, would do away with rent. Would have an old age pension, and each one would be content. Then, throwing down the gauntlet, at his enemies) he hurled, He said, with voice of thunder, "I'll reorganise the world 1" The mighty cannon ceased to roar, the flags all drooped their head, The flower® that once had been so gay, seemed shrivelled up and dead; Dark clouds shut out the brilliant sun the bands all ceased to play, And a stillness fell upon the scene that once had been so gay. Princes nobles, clergy", ladies, all fled in abject fear, While the new crowned King sat on his throne, a King without a peer. The caiuse of all this sudden fear, the cause of all this dread — They'd placed the Royal Edward's crown upon Dick Seddon's head!