On the Coming Marriage of Her Royal Highness
The Princess Elizabeth
by John Masefield

What is the Crown but something set above
The jangle and the jargon and the hate
Of strivers after power in the State,
A symbol, like a banner, for mens' love?

When hope is dim and luck is out of joint,
When enemies within, without assail,
Where a Crown shines, the courage cannot fail,
There a land's spirit finds a rallying-point.

To those young lands, the countries of our kin,
The friends in need, the comrades in despair,
Our allies steadfast when no others were....
.....But how can Britain praise them? How begin?....

To those dear lands, still calling Britain "Home",
The Crown is still the link with Britain's past,
The consecrated thing that must outlast
Folly and hate and other human foam.

To those, as to ourselves, this marriage-time
Summons all hearts from their accustomed ways
To pray that hidden strengths, supreme, sublime,
May from their glory bless this couple's days.

To pray, that She, our future Queen, may hear
Through many happy years, the bells rejoice,
Telling of People glad, a Sovereign dear,
A Land restored, a Purpose again clear,
With wind-delighting clamour of glad voice