He Never Smiled Again

From The Birmingham Age Herald, July 1, 1913.
 By Felicia Hermans.
 

 The bark that held a prince went down,
     The sweeping waves rolled on;
 And what was England’s glorious crown
     To him that wept a son?
 He lived—for life may long be borne
     Ere sorrow breaks its chain;
 Why comes not death to those that mourn?
     He never smiled again.
 
 There stood proud forms around his throne,
     The stately and the brave;
 But which could fill the place of one,
     That one beneath the wave?
 Before him passed the young and fair,
     In pleasure’s reckless train;
 But seas dashed o’er his son’s bright hair—
     He never smiled again.
 
 He sat where festal bowls went round,
     He heard the minstrel sing,
 He saw the tourney’s victor crowned
     Amidst the knightly ring;
 A murmur of the restless deep
     Was blent with every strain,
 A voice of winds that would not sleep—
     He never smiled again.
 
 Hearts, in that time, closed o’er the trace
     Of vows once fondly poured,
 And strangers took the kinsman’s place
     At many a joyous board;
 Graves, which true love had bathed with tears
     Were left to heaven’s bright rain,
 Fresh hopes were borne for other years.
     He never smiled again.