| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Prelude |
| | | Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron (1809–92) |
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| ENGLAND! since Shakespeare died no loftier day | |
| For thee than lights herewith a century’s goal,— | |
| Nor statelier exit of heroic soul | |
| Conjoined with soul heroic,—nor a lay | |
| Excelling theirs who made renowned thy sway | 5 |
| Even as they heard the billows which outroll | |
| Thine ancient sea, and left their joy and dole | |
| In song, and on the strand their mantles gray. | |
| Star-rayed with fame thine Abbey windows loom | |
| Above his dust whom the Venetian barge | 10 |
| Bore to the main; who passed the two-fold marge | |
| To slumber in thy keeping,—yet make room | |
| For the great Laurifer, whose chanting large | |
And sweet shall last until our tongue’s far doom.
E. C. S. | |
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