Blessed Charles, King and Martyr

At Candlemas in white arrayed    He stood, the newly crowned, Where music murmured, banners swayed,    And Westminster its homage paid, To blazoning trumpets' sound.    To blazoning trumpets' sound. When home they bore his coffin slow,    The flaring torches' light Revealed no sable pall, for lo!    Over its gloom the loyal snow Had cast a covering white.    Had cast a covering white. But whiter far than robe or pall,    He bore to tragic goal, Through battle, prison, judgment-hall,    His one abiding coronal, A white and Kingly soul.    A white and Kingly soul. Regicide: 30 January 1649

Rex divine, Rector regum

Royal Charles, who chose to die