Alfred Joyce Kilmer - Queen Elizabeth Speaks

2014-11-10 2

My hands were stained with blood, my heart was proud and cold,
My soul is black with shame . . . but I gave Shakespeare gold.
So after aeons of flame, I may, by grace of God,
Rise up to kiss the dust that Shakespeare's feet have trod.

Alfred Joyce Kilmer

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/queen-elizabeth-speaks/