15+ Greatest Poems about Kings and Queens

(15 to start, 25+ to explore)

Poems about kings and queens evoke images of royalty, power, and leadership. These verses may delve into the grandeur and opulence of monarchies or explore the complexities and burdens of ruling kingdoms.

Poets may draw parallels between the majesty of kings and queens and the human experience, contemplating themes of responsibility, authority, and the quest for a legacy.

These poems may also touch on the struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating the throne, offering insights into leadership dynamics and the human desire for sovereignty.

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"> 96/100

Coronation

by Helen Hunt Jackson

The ‘Coronation’ by Helen Hunt Jackson can be considered a literary work that represents the topic of power and its instability, the worth of humility, and the desire for self-knowledge.

The poem addresses the topic of kings and queens through allegorical storytelling. It explores the complexities of power and authority, depicting a king who renounces his crown and questions the nature of kingship. Through graphic imagery and symbolic language, the poem challenges conventional notions of royalty, highlighting the transient nature of earthly power and the importance of humility and compassion in leadership.

At the king's gate the subtle noon

Wove filmy yellow nets of sun;

Into the drowsy snare too soon

The guards fell one by one.

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"> 80/100

In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth

by Anne Bradstreet

Written forty years after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Bradstreet’s ode to the Queen is filled with praise and gushing appreciation for the near-legendary ruler as her achievements are considered, as well as the love that her people had for her.

This poem is all about Queen Elizabeth, but it also mentions other specific queens when comparing her deeds to theirs and also claims that she is at least the equal of kings. The poem discusses Elizabeth's life and how people still think of her after her death. The author is grateful that the country had a ruler like her, and this poem shows how kings and queens ruled in the past and the deference that their subjects showed to them.

Although great Queen, thou now in silence lie,

Yet thy loud Herald Fame, doth to the sky

Thy wondrous worth proclaim, in every clime,

And so has vow’d, whilst there is world or time.

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"> 78/100

Horatius

by Thomas Babington Macaulay

‘Horatius’ by Thomas Babington Macaulay is a long narrative ballad about Horatius Cocles, a legendary hero from early Roman history.

The main character of this poem, Horatius Cocles, is honorable for defending the Roman Republic from her deposed king, Tarquinius Superbus. This account, then, is about rebellion, tyranny, and revolution, which was still a hot topic among the English in the 19th century following the French revolution. By honoring Cocles in his defense of the Republic, he was an anti-monarchical agent fighting for the people's rights.

LARS Porsena of Clusium

By the Nine Gods he swore

That the great house of Tarquin

Should suffer wrong no more.

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"> 70/100

Every Man A King

by Timothy Thomas Fortune

‘Every Man A King’ by Timothy Thomas Fortune is a passionate poem that calls for ideals like liberty to be distributed equally amongst all people.

A central topic in Fortune's poem is the ways in which the existence of rulers like kings and tyrants does nothing to benefit the people. Instead, they encourage the continued subjugation of the masses and ensure their own privileged status through a "brutal might."

From hill to hill let Freedom ring!

Let tyrants bend the knee!

Why should the people have a king,

When every man a king should be!

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"> 67/100

A Fairy Song

by William Shakespeare

‘A Fairy Song’ features in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by William Shakespeare and is sung by a fairy who describes their work.

In the poem, the Fairy Queen, Titania, represents royalty, and the fairy serves her with complete loyalty. This focus on serving a queen emphasizes the presence of hierarchy and authority in the fairy world. The fairy’s duties are all about preparing for the queen's arrival, showing the importance of royalty and the respect that the fairies have for their magical rulers.

Over hill, over dale,

Thorough bush, thorough brier,

Over park, over pale,

Thorough flood, thorough fire!

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"> 64/100

Elizabeth’s War with the Christmas Bear

by Norman Dubie

‘Elizabeth’s War with the Christmas Bear’ by Norman Dubie is an unforgettable poem about a Christmas bear that tries to attack Queen Elizabeth I and her reaction.

The poem focuses on Queen Elizabeth I, showcasing the life and challenges of a monarch. It explores the responsibilities and dangers that come with being a queen. The bear's attack serves as a metaphor for the constant threats faced by rulers. Elizabeth's actions reflect the strength and resilience required of royalty. The theme highlights the unique position and struggles of kings and queens.

The bears are kept by hundreds within fences, are fed cracked

Eggs; the weakest are

Slaughtered and fed to the others after being scented

With the blood of deer brought to the pastures by Elizabeth’s

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"> 60/100

A Very Mournful Ballad on The Siege And Conquest Of Alhama

by Lord Byron

‘A Very Mournful Ballad on The Siege And Conquest Of Alhama’ is a poem that looks at how war can affect ordinary people.

The King is a central character in this poem. The poet shows that the King is easily angered and irritable, but also shows the loyalty that his men have for him. Ultimately, the old man shows more empathy than the King and is punished for speaking out, and the King is seen as less concerned with his citizens.

The Moorish King rides up and down.

Through Granada's royal town:

From Elvira's gates to those

Of Bivarambla on he goes.

Woe is me, Alhama!

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As I Was Going

by Anonymous

‘As I Was Going by Charing Cross’ was first recorded in the 1840s. But, it likely dates to an early decade. It’s thought that this nursery rhyme was likely shared through street cries or chants.

Kings and queens are central to the poem, especially through the figure of King Charles I. The emotional response elicited by the statue highlights the complexities of monarchy and its influence on society. By portraying the king in a statue, the poem prompts readers to think about the legacy of royal figures, how they are remembered, and the impact they have on national identity and collective memory.

As I was going by Charing Cross,

I saw a black man upon a black horse;

They told me it was King Charles the First-

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"> 59/100

The Soul selects her own Society

by Emily Dickinson

Dickinson’s ‘The Soul selects her own Society’ depicts a Soul that isolates herself and selectively chooses one companion.

The emperor's and chariots' symbols represent wealth, power, and societal conventions. The emperor kneeling upon the Soul's mat symbolizes the highest form of worldly authority, prestige, and wealth at her feet. However, the Soul remains unmoved by these status symbols, emphasizing their superficiality and inability to fulfill the desire for genuine connections.

The Soul selects her own Society —

Then — shuts the Door —

To her divine Majority —

Present no more —

#10

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"> 55/100

The Bard: A Pindaric Ode

by Thomas Gray

‘The Bard: A Pindaric Ode’ written by Thomas Gray, depicts the ruthless torment unleashed upon poets by the tyrant King Edward I.

The behavior of a King, specifically King Edward I of England, is at the heart of this poem. Readers are meant to pity the bards and feel dislike, or even hatred, toward the king who ordered their deaths.

"Ruin seize thee, ruthless King!

Confusion on thy banners wait,

Tho' fann'd by Conquest's crimson wing

They mock the air with idle state.

#11

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On a Handful of French Money

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

In ‘On a handful of French Money,’ Rossetti’s coins embody France’s diverse history, reflecting change, monarchy’s badge, and a soaring spirit with marred images.

This poem views the topic of kings and queens through the coins' representation of monarchy. The "badge of that old throne" symbolizes past monarchical rule in France. The coins serve as tangible artifacts of historical eras, reflecting the nation's interactions with royalty and their influence on its identity and consciousness over time.

These coins that jostle on my hand do own

No single image; each name here & date

Denoting in man's consciousness & state

New change. In some, the face is clearly known,

#12

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"> 40/100

Wolsey’s Farewell to His Greatness

by William Shakespeare

‘Wolsey’s Farewell to His Greatness’ by William Shakespeare is a set of lines found in Act III Scene 2 of Henry VIII, a famous history play. The lines are spoken by Cardinal Wolsey, one of the King’s closest advisors.

One of the major parts of this piece is Wolsey's consideration of the King and how hard it is to please him and stay in his good graces. It's a nearly impossible task that, when achieved, doesn't last for long.

Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness!

This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth

The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms,

And bears his blushing honours thick upon him:

#13

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"> 20/100

The Fool’s Prayer

by Edward Rowland Sill

‘The Fool’s Prayer’ by Edward Rowland Sill is a religious poem that reminds readers, and all the characters in the poem, what it takes to live a good, morally righteous life.

This poem takes place in the court of a king. He's unnamed and is relatively unimportant for the poem as a whole. He commands the Fool and laughs at him, something the latter is tired of.

The royal feast was done; the King

Sought some new sport to banish care,

And to his jester cried: “Sir Fool,

Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!”

#14

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Buckingham Palace

by A. A. Milne

‘Buckingham Palace’ is one of the clever poems that A.A. Milne wrote featuring his famous characters from the Winnie-the-Pooh books. It depicts Alice and Christopher’s trip to see the changing of the guard.

They’re changing guard at Buckingham Palace -

Christopher Robin went down with Alice.

Alice is marrying one of the guard.

“A soldier’s life is terrible hard,”

Says Alice.

#15

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Floral Tribute

by Simon Armitage

‘Floral Tribute’ by Simon Armitage uses symbolism to relate flowers and the British landscape to Queen Elizabeth’s reign and death in 2022.

Evening will come, however determined the late afternoon,

Limes and oaks in their last green flush, pearled in September mist.

I have conjured a lily to light these hours, a token of thanks,

Zones and auras of soft glare framing the brilliant globes.

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15+ Greatest Poems about Kings and Queens

(15 to start, 25+ to explore)

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15+ Greatest Poems about Kings and Queens

(15 to start, 25+ to explore)

by Helen Hunt Jackson

by Anne Bradstreet

by Thomas Babington Macaulay

by Timothy Thomas Fortune

by William Shakespeare

by Norman Dubie

by Lord Byron

by Anonymous

by Emily Dickinson

by Thomas Gray

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

by William Shakespeare

by Edward Rowland Sill

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