And near gay Paris' thronging gate
Its ancient kings in state are laid
Beneath the gray Cathedral's roof,
Within St. Denis' vaulted shade;
Through nave and transept streams the day,
From the stained windows, o'er their clay.
Dagobert earliest rested here;
And passing generations bring,
To moulder in their gloomy crypts,
Queens, princes, emperor and king;
Louis' and Francis' royal line,
With Henry's, here their dust combine.
A solemn scene! o'er the old tombs
The sculptured forms extended laid!
Some folding meekly their clasped hands,
Some grasping still the battle blade:
Who might with tears refuse to wet
Thy ashes, hapless Antoinette!