1963 Visit of Queen Elizabeth II

Second Royal Tour of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Canberra: Prime Minister Menzies after saying that the British monarchy was the most democratic in the world, spoke about Australian affection as an expression of that and quoted the lines: I did but see her passing by ... "Anachronistically and mindlessly, this one sentence is generally used to lampoon Menzies' attitude to the monarchy, as if this was the only thing he ever said on the subject."
A W Martin, Robert Menzies A Life Vol 2 1944-1978, 1999 p 455.

ROYAL TOUR - VOICE OVER:

There is no greater admirer of the Royal Family than the Prime Minister.

SIR ROBERT MENZIES ADDRESSING THE QUEEN:
All I ask you to remember in this country of yours is that every man, woman and child who even sees you with a passing glimpse as you go by will remember it, remember it with joy, remember it - in the words of the old 17th century poet who wrote those famous words, "I did but see her passing by and yet I love her till I die." (applause)