CO129-517-5 The visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Hong Kong 2-5-1929 - 23-5-1929 — Page 22

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His Majesty and for your Royal Highness and of continued

peace for the Empire.

Wherefore with respectful obeisance and unfeigned

sincerity we now offer this our Ode.

Now is our Prince

Ode

Young in years but sage in counsel;

Beside his skill in letters

He is well versed in martial affairs.

Of late he has received the King's behest

And bears the token of his Eastern mission;

The 'v'r points his starry chariot

There do all men feel the soft air of his benevolence.

Upon his devious travels he comes among us

To visit us his people;

We crane the neck to see his Royal person

With shouts of joy like thunder.

Tiny is our rocky islet

But for long has it been girt by the Royal benevolence;

High is his virtue and his goodness is spread abroad

Reaching to the humblest of us his subjects.

To see with our eyes the Royal presence

This is to enjoy a glorious fortune;

With unfeigned sincerity we offer up this Ode,

This humble tribute of our rude verses.