Who Do You Serve?

Who Do You Serve? - V

A gesture is required - a service to the Crown -
A ritual, an oath - allegiance sworn unto the head of government,
The head that bears the symbol of the realm, the body politic.

(A body wears that head, indeed --
And bears the title, "Prince,"
And rules in mortal realm with mortal power --
Yet cannot stay the claim of Death's taxation.
When thus the prince falls subject to a greater empire,
Doth not another body rise to meet the burden
Of the Crowned Head?
Is this not more than mortal mastery we bow unto?)

Who do you serve? Is't Queen, or King or Pope -- ?
Is't crown or cross, the grail or Roman chalice?
What is the more than mortal master of your fate?
Who do you serve?
To whom do you give reverence and love,
For whom would suffer, to whom sacrifice and still
Sing praises when petitions fail?
In whose eyes seek you to discover glory?
Who is your ruler, who the human measure of that grace divine
That rests on the Anointed?
Before that one, bend you -- and take the impress of that Will
Unto you as your own. Prove then your trust and fealty
With word true given, and deed well done.