Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

August 4

On the Coronation of Queen Victoria

By Jedediah Vincent Huntington (1815–1862)

WITHIN the minster’s venerable pile

What pomps unwonted flash upon our eyes!

What galleries in gold and crimson, rise

Between the antique pillars of the aisle,

Crowded with England’s gayest life; the while

Beneath, her dead, unconscious glory lies;

Above, her ancient faith still seeks the skies;

And with apparent life doth well beguile

Our senses in that ever-growing roof;

Whence on the soul return those recollections

Of her great annals—built to be time-proof,

Which chiefly make this spot the fittest scene

Wherein to consecrate those new affections

We plight this day to Britain’s virgin queen.