The French Childhood Of Queen Mary Stewart Poem by Sheena Blackhall

A princess skipped light in a castle of tune
Rivers of music ran bright through her days
Splendid her mornings and golden her crown
Notes tinkled merry in sweet roundelays

The happiness tree bloomed awhile in her land
Into the dark grave its blossoms fell down
Quietly, sadly, they withered away
The yew and the ivy crept over her gown

Only a cat stalks that garden of dreams
Slowly it dances a stately parvane
Purring and rhythmic it pounces on birds
Strumming their heart-strings in midsummer rain