In Majesty

ONCE in thy life, thou too, or small or great,
Sin-stained or white, sage, foolish, free or bound,
’Neath what strange star, beyond what ocean found, —
Thou too, ignoring time, defying fate,
One fleeting hour shalt dwell in prouder state
Than any king’s, with sovereign power girt round,
Thy silent brow with pallid glory crowned.
Once in thy life, some time, or soon or late,
Thou too— Yet hold! Oh, strange conceit! Ah me!
In that brief triumph thou shalt not rejoice,
Nor find it profit thee ; thou shalt not see
The reverent awe, nor mark the bated breath
Wherewith all mankind’s universal voice
Pays homage to the Majesty of Death!