Sailors aver that often hath been seen

A man like to a god, of warrior mien,

A beauteous form of figure swift and strong;
Down on his shoulders his light hair hung long
And his full armour was enchast with gold:

While some, who with their eyes might nought behold,
Say that with music strange the air was stir'd;
And some there are, who have both seen and heard:

And if a man wish to be favour'd more,

He need but spend one night upon the shore;

To him in sleep Achilles will appear

And lead him to his tent, and with good cheer
Show him all friendliness that men desire;
Patroclus pours the wine, and he his lyre

Takes from the pole and plays the strains thereon
Which Cheiron taught him first on Pelion.

These things I tell as they were told to me,
Nor do I question but it well may be:
For sure I am that, if man ever was,
Achilles was a hero, both because

Of his high birth and beauty, his country's call,
His valour of soul, his early death withal,
For Homer's praise, the crown of human art;
And that above all praise he had at heart
A gentler passion in her sovran sway,
And when his love died threw his life away.

27

AN ANNIVERSARY

HE

BRIGHT, my beloved, be thy day,
This eve of Summer's fall:
And Autumn mass his flowers gay
To crown thy festival!

SHE

I care not if the morn be bright,
Living in thy love-rays :

No flower I need for my delight,
Being crowned with thy praise.

HE

O many years and joyfully

This sun to thee return;
Ever all men speak well of thee,
Nor any angel mourn!

SHE

For length of life I would not pray,
If thy life were to seek;
Nor ask what men and angels say
But when of thee they speak.

HE

Arise! The sky hath heard my song,

The flowers o'erhear thy praise;

And little loves are waking long
To wish thee happy days.

28

REGINA CARA

JUBILEE-SONG, for music, 1897

HARK! The world is full of thy praise,
England's Queen of many days;
Who, knowing how to rule the free,
Hast given a crown to monarchy.

Honour, Truth and growing Peace
Follow Britannia's wide increase,
And Nature yield her strength unknown
To the wisdom born beneath thy throne!

In wisdom and love firm is thy fame:
Enemies bow to revere thy name:

The world shall never tire to tell
Praise of the queen that reignèd well.

O FELIX ANIMA, DOMINA PRAECLARA, AMORE SEMPER CORONABERE REGINA CARA.

OCCASIONAL ODES & C.

PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS

1. Monthly Review. February, 1903.

2. Country Life. 1906.

3. Volunteer Haversack.

1902.

Poems by A. Buckton.

17, 18, 19. Published with the Music by Novello, Ewer & Co.