Songs of the Springtides/On the Proposed Desecration of Westminster Abbey
On the proposed desecration of Westminster Abbey
by the erection of a monument
to the son of Napoleon III.
'Let us go hence.' From the inmost shrine of grace
Where England hold the elect of her dead
There comes a word like one of old time said
By gods of old cast out. Here is no place
At once for these and one of poisonous race.
Let each rise up from his dishallowed bed
And pass forth silent. Each divine veiled head
Shall speak in silence with averted face.
'Scorn everlasting and eternal shame
Eat out the rotting record of his name
Who had the glory of all these graves in trust
And turned it to a hissing. His offence
Makes havoc of their desecrated dust
Whose place is here no more. Let us go hence.'
Feb. 25, 1880.