Punch (86.1884)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARI VARL

[April 5, lh84.

H.R.H. PRINCE LEOPOLD,

With what a shock of sorrow, what arrest
Of a whole Nation’s pulse, the tidings fell
Like mid-day darkness! Young and loved sow
A Prince whose ripening promise bore the test,
All-searching, of comparison with him

Whose passing moved a people to true tears ;
Whose memory not the fame-defeating years.
Nor cold detraction’s breath can ever dim.

DUKE

ALBANY. Born April 7,

Died March

1884.

ell!

Good Albert’s son. in him there seemed 3gain
To live the cultured grace, the golden speech.
That won the English heart, and seemed to teach
The life of Courts a higher, prouder strain.

The golden bough is broken, in mid-Spring

The glad leaves fall! She who might fondly trace
The well-loved father in the son’s calm face,

Is doubly stricken. Might affection bring,

On a great Nation’s sorrow-stricken lips,

Some comfort to the mother, the young wife
Mourning untimely that much-treasured life,
Some lessening of the darkness of eclipse,

How vocal were our offering ! But the gold
Of sympathetic silence now seems best,
Though many tongues hereafter shall attest
Love for the memory of Leopold !