“Some Royal Poems”

 In this Platinum Jubilee year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it is very appropriate to consider poetry and the monarchy; how each have helped to shape and influence each other. Indeed, it would be remiss of me if I kept quiet!

 From King Arthur to Queen Elizabeth II, monarchs have often been eulogised and discussed in verse down the centuries. So, both fictional kings and queens, and very real rulers, have been commemorated (and occasionally mocked) in English poetry.

 So, I thought it would be good to gather a few thoughts about the interaction between poetry and our monarchy and offer a personal selection of poems.  

Let me start with a biblical perspective – Psalm 101; one of the so-called “Royal Psalms”.

It is believed that this Psalm is the prayer of a King in which he formulates the principles that will guide his reign. Although the language and context are of its time, and some verses are challenging, it importantly describes a sovereign’s pledge of integrity and justice. Much is still applicable today, and I am sure Queen Elizabeth identifies with much of it.

PSALM 101: A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

I will sing of faithfulness and justice; 

to you, O Lord, will I sing.

Let me be wise in the way that is perfect: 

when will you come to me?

I will walk with purity of heart  

within the walls of my house.

I will not set before my eyes  

a counsel that is evil.

I abhor the deeds of unfaithfulness;  

they shall not cling to me.

A crooked heart shall depart from me;  

I will not know a wicked person.

One who slanders a neighbour in secret  

I will quickly put to silence.

Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart  

I will not endure.

My eyes are upon the faithful in the land,  

that they may dwell with me.

One who walks in the way that is pure  

shall be my servant.

There shall not dwell in my house  

one that practises deceit.

One who utters falsehood  

shall not continue in my sight.

Morning by morning will I put to silence  

all the wicked in the land,

To cut off from the city of the Lord  

all those who practise evil.

As we move forward in our history, the poetic form has remained aligned to the monarchy.

During the tempestuous times of the Wars of the Roses, in the 15^th century, the Warwick Knight, Sir Thomas Mallory produced his epic poem, La Morte D’Arthur, detailing the reign of the fictitious King Arthur. He had drawn heavily from earlier Anglo-Saxon writings. This of course was a poem reprised in the 19^th century by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Both are too long to include in this blog!

 The poetic form flourished in the first Elizabethan period in the poetic style with the emergence of Sir Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene, which was a vast epic poem stretching over 1000 pages! This was a Christian allegory featuring knights, wizards, maidens, villains, etc. with Gloriana, the Faerie Queene, representing Elizabeth herself, at the centre.

 And this was the time of Shakespeare too with a host of Sonnets and many “Royal plays”. Perhaps the Bard was alluding to Queen Elizabeth through the character of Queen Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream? 

 But let us not forget that Queen Elizabeth I was also a poet in her own right.

 One of her short poems was called ‘On Monsieur’s Departure’, where she describes an emotional experience after separating from the person she loved. Surely something which is timeless. 

ON MONSIEUR’S DEPARTURE - BY Queen Elizabeth I

I grieve and dare not show my discontent,

I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,

I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,

I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.

I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned,

Since from myself another self I turned.

My care is like my shadow in the sun,

Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it,

Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.

His too familiar care doth make me rue it.

No means I find to rid him from my breast,

Till by the end of things it be supprest.

Some gentler passion slide into my mind,

For I am soft and made of melting snow;

Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind.

Let me or float or sink, be high or low.

Or let me live with some more sweet content,

Or die and so forget what love ere meant.

The 17^th century was also an interesting time, and perhaps most especially at the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, when Charles II ascended the throne.

 In celebration of that occasion, John Dryden, a notable poet and playwright, joined the chorus of poets welcoming him with a 300 line poem. He then went on to write a poem for his coronation “To his Sacred Majesty”. These poems were designed to celebrate the occasion and in fact strengthen the image of the monarchy. They were written for the nation and Dryden’s work was rewarded, when he was appointed the first Poet Laureate in 1668.

This is a post which remains today in the gift of the monarch.  The Poet Laureate is obliged to write a certain number of such national poems each year.

There have been six Poet Laureates in Queen Elizabeth’s reign and the present one, Simon Armitage has written a Platinum Jubilee Poem, entitled “Queenhood” which will be published on June 2^nd.

For this Blog I have included two short contemporary poems written by two other British poets.

 The first is a very patriotic statement by Christian Lacdael, which stresses the wisdom, duty, and service of the Queen’s reign.

 Elizabeth II - By Christian Lacdael

 Elizabeth the second's reign, 

Has been much to her realm's gain, 

Her allegiance to her nation,

Model to those of her station,

A most wise and respectful queen, 

Great as those before her have been, 

We'll remain loyal to the crown, 

Lest all we've built up crashes down, 

With prince Philip by her right hand,

Meeting duties and touring the land,

Commonwealth realms unite as one, 

Helped out by all that she has done, 

May she long still be on the throne,

Reach out so bridges are grown, 

Be a link to an age that's gone,

She that her subjects depend on.

The second is a more reflective one by Ruth Stacey, where she poses the question ‘what does it mean to be a Queen?’ After rejecting other people’s words about monarchy and queenship, Stacey goes on to give her own answer, which suggests our genuine respect for the Queen is achieved by our own actions in life!

Elizabeth II - BY RUTH STACEY

 In today's correspondence a poetry book

detailing the lives of British Queens—

with a note enclosed and a question:

what does it mean to be a Queen?

I could reply and say—

this precious stone set in a silver sea:

a symbol, like a banner, for mens' love.

But these are not my words.

I could reply and say—

glorying in the glories of my people,

sorrowing with the sorrows of the lowest.

But these are not my words.

I could declare—

that each Queen is tissue paper thin,

translucent but combined, are my flesh.

But I will not solidify my words,

instead I will command my secretary to write,

with many kind thanks for the little book etc,

but to say my thoughts on Queenship

can only be ascertained by my actions.

So, I have just touched the surface of the interesting are of poetry. Hopefully this may stimulate further interest - who knows you may even venture to read the Faerie Queene or at least a copy of “Queenhood” by Simon Armitage, our present Poet Laureate.

Submitted by Roger Verrall May 30, 2022

Sources

Common Worship Services and Prayers for the Church of England, Church House Publishing London 2000

 Poemhunter.com

 Poetryfoundation.org

 "Elizabeth II" from Queen, Jewel, Mistress. Copyright © 2015 by Ruth Stacey.  (Eyewear Publishing, 2015)