ALONG THE BANKS OF HISTORY.

The rains have come

To claim

Today’s celebrations,

As they did

For the Coronation in ’53

And the

Silver Jubilee in ’77,

But as

Most of the festivities

Are taking

Place up and down

The length

Of the grand old Thames,

Where boats

Of every shape and size

Vie for

The eye of the mighty

Crowds,

I don’t suppose it matters

Much if

There’s a touch of spray

In the air

As enough will be kicked

Up by the

Skiffs and tugs and tall

Sailed ships

That will accompany

The Queen’s

Barge as it slips beneath

The bridges

That stitch the country’s

Hundred

Tribes together that no one

Will notice

The weather enough

To put

Them off their revelry.