The Statue of Our Queen
The Statue of Our Queen - meaning Summary
Monarchy as Distant Idol
Lawson satirically attacks a grand statue of the Queen as proud, aloof, and out of touch with ordinary people. The poem suggests only the unemployed will bow to this cold symbol, and imagines the statue becoming an archaeological curiosity. Addressing "Great Parkes," the speaker urges removal or concealment of the monument, linking public loyalty to practical solidarity rather than pomp and distant authority.
Read Complete AnalysesPride, selfishness in every line, And on its face a frown, It stands, a sceptre in its hand, And points forever down. And who will kneel? The unemployed! Small homage pay, I ween, The only men who gather ’neath The Statue of our Queen. I’d scarcely wonder if the sun, That rises with good grace, Should sink and leave the day undone At sight of such a face. But no! The day will still have birth In all its golden sheen, When antiquarians unearth The Statue of our Queen. Then if you’d have us loyal bide As we have loyal been, Great Parkes! for love of England, hide The Statue of our Queen.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.