Sonnet Cccii: 'My Lady's Birthday Rises Golden Fair' Poem by George Henry Boker

My lady's birthday rises golden fair,
And I arise to see the lord of light
Beaconing the land from every flaming height,
And hanging blazoned banners on the air.
Meet homage to her beauty! Everywhere
The world is blazing; sky, earth, water, bright
With celebration of the general rite,
Their due observance in the pageant bear.
I am a poet; far too poor to will,
As sovereigns might, a festival for thee,
Whose sights my subjects' wondering eyes should fill.
Poor as I am, yet mark my realm, and see
What pomps I spread for thee o'er plain and hill--
I who, through God, all nature hold in fee!