No woman’s head so keen to work its will
But that the woman’s heart is mistress still.
Three years she ruled a nation well content
To have a maiden queen; then came a day
When those on whom her councils chiefly leant
Began to speak of marriage, and to pray
Their sovereign not to hold herself alone,
Nor trust the tenure of an heirless throne;
And then the people took the cry, nor lack
Was there of courtly suitors far or near,—