THE QUEEN is taking a drive today; They have hung with purple the carriage way; They have dressed with purple the royal track Where the Queen goes forth and never comes back. Let no man labor as she goes by, On her last appearance to mortal eye. With heads uncovered let all men wait For the Queen to pass in her regal state. Army and navy shall lead the way For that wonderful coach of the Queen's today; Kings and Princes and Lords of the land Shall ride behind her, a humble band. And over the city and over the world Shall flags of all nations be half-mast furled For the silent lady of royal birth Who is riding away from the courts of earth -- Riding away from the world's unrest To a mystical goal on a secret quest. Though in regal splendor she drives through town, Her robes are simple -- she wears no crown. And yet she wears one; for, widowed no more, She is crowned with the love that has gone before, And crowned with the love she has left behind In the hidden depths of each thinking mind. Uncover your heads, lift your hearts on high, The Queen in silence is driving by. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOWING IN WEST BLOWING SNOW by JAMES GALVIN THREE SPRING NOTATIONS ON BIPEDS by CARL SANDBURG THE FLAMING HEART by RICHARD CRASHAW SEVEN TIMES SEVEN [- LONGING FOR HOME] by JEAN INGELOW JACK AND JILL (1) by MOTHER GOOSE |