Canadians' Welcome To The Prince Of Wales Poem by Thomas Cowherd

Canadians, welcome now the Prince-
Victoria's noble, first-born son;
Who comes amongst us to evince
How much his Mother's love we've won.

He comes not as, a despot's heir
From serfs their homage to demand.
He comes not with that outward glare
So suited to a slave-cursed land,

But as a freeman to the free,
His errand is of vast concern.
Then let us show our loyalty
By aiming sordidness to spurn.

And thus while he inaugurates
The wondrous triumph of Man's art*,
See that our conduct compensates
For right performance of his part.

*The Victoria bridge at Montreal.

Then shall his stay amongst us here
Fill him with memories so sweet
That he may, at no distant year,
Be led his visit to repeat.

And while he views our country, filled
With wonders of the vastest kind,
May grain fields wide, industrious tilled,
And thriving Arts, please well his mind.

Eager to prove ourselves content
With British rule, and land so fair;
We gladly hail the Prince now sent,
And trust he will our blessings share.

A thousand welcomes then to you,
The Heir to loved Victoria's throne;
Canadians still to Freedom true,
Would warmly make their homage known.