Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


KINGS AND QUEENS by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: EIGHT HENRIES, ONE MARY
Last Line: AND WE PRAISE GOD FOR FIVE.

Eight Henries, one Mary,
One Elizabeth;
Crowned and throned Kings and Queens
Now lie still in death.

Four Williams, one Stephen,
Anne, Victoria, John:
Sceptre and orb are laid aside;
All are to quiet gone.
And James and Charles, and Charles's sons --
They, too, have journeyed on.

Three Richards, seven Edwards
Their royal hour did thrive;
They sleep with Georges one to four:
And we praise God for five.



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