Alexandra

2 ALEXANDRA XIX. Thou with thy smile6 encouraged7 all the sages8 Who strove to alleviate9 man’s bitter lot :10 Thou saved11 the pigeons in their trappy cages, From being shot.12 XXIV. Marriage declines (our sobbing statesmen13 own) The birthrate shows mysterious decay : ’Tis that each loyal bosom knows alone Thy single sway. XXV. Maidens and wives14 take tribute of our days : We love them (nous leur jurons nos grands dieux !) ’Tis but (in von Krafft-Ebing’s pregnant phrase) Faute de mieux. XXVI. With wives and sweethearts for awhile we dally : We haunt the Empire,15 pace the piteous Strand :16 Or friendless, coinless, for a spurt we rally The faltering hand.17 XXVII We prate of Pamela, we pipe of Polly,18 We stock the loved disciple’s shady wood19 All this is merely visionary folly : It does no good. XXVIII We turn us from the tedious trivial traffic To vests that hold (your choicest spoil, be sure, O Illustrated London News or Graphic !) Thy miniature.20 XXIX To Ann, Bess, Clara, Dora, Ethel, Florrie, Grace, Helen, Ida, Jane, Kate, Lily, May