‘Our Gracious, Noble Queen’
The Gift of a Poem from the County of Rutland
on the Occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
by Henry Dawe, Uppingham, Rutland
It shimmers and it sparkles.
It glistens and it glows.
That is the very splendour
Which from your radiance flows.
So platinum becomes you.
It is precious and pristine,
With all the charm and lustre
Of our gracious, noble Queen.
Aged ten you knew your destiny
Could never be your own.
Your little world changed overnight
When Edward left the throne.
But you would not have said, ‘Why me?’
You saw what it would mean
And thought ahead to your life as
Our gracious, noble Queen.
You are the face we can’t forget.
You are your family’s Lilibet,
Our guide who leads us tirelessly,
Our raft upon a choppy sea.
You spend each day so selflessly
And serve us all devotedly.
Your Duke was always by your side
Since on that morn the knot was tied.
You found your comfort, loyal and strong,
A true companion for so long.
It would have brought you joy if he
Had shared in this fine Jubilee.
You have such a sense of faith
And duty in your soul.
That is what has surely
Kept you steadfast in the role.
You’ve not wavered once
Despite the troubles and the fears
And, although occasionally
Of course there have been tears,
Your reign has been so happy
And so glorious to behold
And, as you look back on it all
At 96 years old,
We know how fortunate we feel
That you, of such renown,
Shine on still as the brightest jewel
In England’s ancient crown.
Our tribute comes with our love, Ma’am,
From Rutland’s rustic county.
We mark, in 2022,
Your Majesty’s rich bounty,
Your gift for decades now bestowed
Upon our thankful nation,
As bells ring out and all around
We join in celebration.
To our minds we’ll keep you close,
Our Sovereign so serene,
And in our hearts we’ll hold you dear,
Our gracious, noble Queen.
