In the Solent.
(February 1st, 1901.)
HALF the English Fleet lies ranged
Still and dark against the sky,
But their bunting is all changed,
For the flags are half mast high:
See, the Ship of Death goes by,
Bearing one who was our Queen.
Listen! Portsmouth bells are telling,
Now the great Queen leaves her dwelling.
Toll! Toll! The Queen! The Queen!
Comes between.
And her Navy gives salute,
Muffled, mute,
To the Queen!
Hark! Amongst the cannon's thunder
And the music's heavy notes,
Come the bells, the bells come under,
With a note that mounts and floats,
In a knell
For farewell
To the Queen.
As a Viking of old fame,
Passed in fire,
With a barque of builded flame
For his pyre,
So our Sovereign Lady lies
Under sunset English skies,
With the snowy flowers above her,
'Mid the family that love her,
King and Queen.
Hark, the bells toll out between,
Victoria! Victoria!
Who has been!