IN THE MESSAGE OFALEXANDER II TO CONGRESS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR Prove his own love of peace and sanction theirs, The very quaintness of that precedent, Which sought to baulk a warrior-king's intent By quiet looks, and unofficial prayers, - Blended with somewhat chivalrous and bold, Even in the very act of their appeal To him, full autocrat from head to heel, Sworn to his own great plans, a lifetime old - Might hit his fancy with a pleasant zest, Might haunt his memory with a dim control, Among a thousand thoughts the last and best, While that stern leaguer of Sebastopol Alternately exalted, and deprest, Day after day, the balance of his soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOVEMBER STARS by SARA TEASDALE HIS MOTHER'S SERVICE TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON NIGHT, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE THIRD DAY: SCANDERBERG by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW IDYLLS OF THE KING: MERLIN AND VIVIEN by ALFRED TENNYSON CHOEPHOROI: ORESTES GOES MAD by AESCHYLUS |