III.
PARADISE.
TO
H.R.I.H.
The CROWN PRINCESS of GERMANY and PRUSSIA, and PRINCESS ROYAL of ENGLAND.
BY PERMISSION.
Thou, to, loved daughter of our England′s Queen,
Has found thy place among the goodly band
Of those who read, and mark, and understand
What Dante wrote, what was by Dante seen.
Thou from his song has learnt the mind serene,
Which can life′s varied chance and change command,
And, through the snares which lie on either hand,
Still on the guiding Staff and Arm canst lean.
I will not doubt that thou wilt welcome give
To this my work, late fruit of many years,
Work that has taught me truer life to live,
Has strengthened hope, and purified my fears;
And if from thee I win one smile of praise,
Full guerdon will it be for toilsome days.
Wells,
Sept. 1st, 1885.
