3-056-997 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

A Dirge, page from Queen Victoria's Album Consolatium, 16 December, 1861. Following the death of Prince Albert, Victoria kept a book in which members of her household and visitors wrote consoling thoughts to help the queen in her grief. This poem must have appealed greatly to Victoria's self-pity, with its declaration that the Queen in her mourning was more utterly alone than the poorest peasant's wife. 'Toll, great bells of Saint Pauls! Toll through the midnight air! Bid all the people fall Upon their knees in prayer For the dear lady, left Upon her glittering throne. More utterly bereft More hopelessly alone Than the poor peasant's wife Because from her is riven The only human life That to her state was given To help, control and guide The only voice below Which had the right to chide...'