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(Accession of Edward VII., Jan. 22, 1901)
GOD save the King! Not from those things | |
| Duly ennumbered in the common plea, | |
| Not only from a court’s monotony | |
| Or tangled trials of State high office brings; | |
| Not only from the licensed jester’s flings, | 5 |
| Not from a Parliament that strives to please, | |
| Or yet from sycophantic drivellings— | |
| God save his Majesty from more than these! | |
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| God save the King! From what? Well, here’s the prayer: | |
| Save him from certain moments that may be | 10 |
| Sacred to pomp and circumstance, when he | |
| Feels ennui stealing o’er him unaware | |
| With that sick longing to be otherwhere, | |
| That makes him envy, aye, and here’s the rub, | |
| That man who may enjoy an easy chair | 15 |
| And cigarette and cognac at a club. | |
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| God save the King! From what? From memories | |
| That come when one lies long awake o’ night, | |
| And hears an echo laughter, sweet and light, | |
| Sound from old days more jubilant than wise; | 20 |
| Save him from certain thoughts of certain eyes; | |
| Save him from hearing in his dreams the beat | |
| Of unforgotten, pirouetting feet | |
| That knew no line ’twixt men and majesties. | |
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| From all the cares that needs must hedge the Guelph, | 25 |
| From all the ills with which our prayer-books ring, | |
| From fools’ advice and wise men’s blundering, | |
| But ever and above all, from himself | |
| God save the King! | |
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