The Arctic Queen

To Dr. ELISHA KENT KANE, COMMANDER OF THE GRINNELL EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN— THIS POEM IS DEDICATED: WITH SINCEREST ADMIRATION OF HIS ENTERPRISE, COURAGE AND HEROIC SELF-DEVOTION, AND OF HIS SUCCESS AS DISCOVERER OF THE OPEN POLAR SEA.
Oene , of all the chilly Arctics, queen, Ascended to her everlasting throne Built on the steadfast centre of the world, And waited for the middle hour of night, Now swiftly coming, to convene her court. Set in an ocean of perpetual calm Was the fair island honoured by her reign; Slowly around her rolled the Frigid Zone, Dim in the mystic moonlight far away,— A silvery ring, circling her nearer realm With the pale lustre of its snowy walls, Defending from all storm and sudden change The sea which bathed the island's level shores. She sat upon her throne, and none might tell Whether her limbs the lambent lustre cast Upon the pearls of which it was composed, Or they cast beauty on her glowing form. Around her feet a pavement spread, inlaid Of squares of roseate sea-shells, set about With purple gems, unknown in other lands;— Thence, winding paths, sprinkled with golden sand, Ran out, through bowers of flowers and fields of green To meet the sea.
Low in the South the Moon Shone full against the island. The North-star, Sparkling and blazing like a silver sun, Stood at the Zenith, as a lamp hung out From heaven to charm the endless Arctic night;— And thus a soft profusion of pure light, More exquisite than sunshine, fell abroad. Unnipped by daintiest frosts, in every field Flowers crowded thick; and trees, not tall nor rude, With slender stems upholding feathery shade, Nodded their heads and hung their pliant limbs In natural bowers, sweet with delicious gloom.
Queen Oene sent her luminous glance afar: Fine rays of tintless light played round her head, Crowning her beauty with mysterious glory. She gazed away, beyond the tranquil sea, To distant mountains of unchanging snow, And still beyond, to where full many a tower And fortress reared their walls of gleaming ice On the dim verges of her vast domains.