Captive Queen, Weary Wanderer That Shines Afar (6)

Caged bird, cruel hands have clipped thy outstretched wings But no dissonance to these notes thou sings, Once sung even the lips of death will smile Forgetting all, as it scythes for endless miles, And in thy realm a mindful happiness Delivering the weakest and oppressed. Gilded Queen, thou has become a lonely star A weary wanderer that shines afar; For what sins in this cell must thou atone Those cold chains rattle upon thy very throne, Evil takes refuge in this beloved light And hawks feverish lies for its own delight, Thy hands that the harp strings taught to play Calloused by labor strum the chords of pain; But, still a note may play that derives from simple pleasure In chords of love my heart can hear but can never measure.