<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Ode of Welcome to Queen Alexandra</h1><h1 align="smallcaps" class="head">On a Visit to Aberdeen on the Occasion of the Quatercentenary of Aberdeen University</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">MOTHER of the Land,</p><p class="line">Around thy throne the hearts of England stand</p><p class="line">Waiting thy will. And since thou art our Queen,</p><p class="line">And since thy life has moved in lovely ways,</p><p class="line">The granite loyalty of Aberdeen</p><p class="line">Greets thee with love and reverence and praise;</p><p class="line">And boasts that these great battlements of stone</p><p class="line">Are buttresses and bulwarks of thy throne,</p><p class="line">For thou art wise, and they are Wisdom's fort;</p><p class="line">And thou art true, and they are Truth's domain;</p><p class="line">And thou art kind, and they are Healing's Court,</p><p class="line">Where Love and Pity reign:</p><p class="line">Thou art the symbol of all things we seek, too lofty to attain.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Welcome, thrice welcome to our granite town,</p><p class="line">Thou who hast made the burden of a crown</p><p class="line">Burn like a halo, kindle like a star--</p><p class="line">Welcome, thrice Welcome! In the days afar</p><p class="line">The Queen who joined the Thistle and the Rose,</p><p class="line">Making firm friends of foes,</p><p class="line">And Mary Queen of Scots, and Her of Guise</p><p class="line">Rode down these streets, under admiring eyes,</p><p class="line">But never Queen so fair and loved as thou</p><p class="line">Who comest to join in our rejoicings now.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Welcome, thrice welcome, Queen most fair and kind!</p><p class="line">Welcome, thrice welcome!" sighs the autumn wind.</p><p class="line">"Welcome, thrice welcome!" chants the Northern Sea.</p><p class="line">And both come singing from thy home to thee--</p><p class="line">We are one in sea and wind as one in heart,</p><p class="line">And thou at once our Queen and kindred art;</p><p class="line">Welcome, thrice welcome to our Aberdeen!</p><p class="line">Welcome, beloved Queen!</p></div></body></html> · Great War