Crowns you have known, and many, in your day,
Each circlet token of some royal style:
“Lady” to “Queen” to “Empress” giving way,
Endlessly marching in a hazy file.
So many names, an empire serving each!
Too many crowns have weighed upon your brow;
It seems your childhood mem’ries scarce can reach
Across the gulf of time ‘tween then and now.