Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile By H. D. Rawnsley |
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| XX. |
| XXI. |
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| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. | XXXII A SCARAB |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
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| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIV. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
| LVII. |
| LVIII. |
| LIX. |
| LX. |
| LXI. |
| LXII. |
| LXII. |
| LXIV. |
 | Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile |  |
71
XXXII A SCARAB
With toil incessant, up the slope,
The beetle rolls a ball of clay;
High o'er the water-flood to lay
His egg of hope.
The beetle rolls a ball of clay;
High o'er the water-flood to lay
His egg of hope.
Now broad black head shall push and strain,
Now mouth shall carry where head fails,
Now hind, now forward leg prevails
Its end to gain.
Now mouth shall carry where head fails,
Now hind, now forward leg prevails
Its end to gain.
The ball rolls back, and back he goes,
Undaunted heart, unbroken will,
To bear life's future up the hill
From flood and foes.
Undaunted heart, unbroken will,
To bear life's future up the hill
From flood and foes.
Scarab! no marvel men, who are
So prone to want of will, should see
A hint of the Divine in thee,—
God Chepera.
So prone to want of will, should see
A hint of the Divine in thee,—
God Chepera.
72
No wonder mortals weak in trust,
Who lay their dear ones in the ground,
Should feel when scarab-time comes round
Some hope in dust.
Who lay their dear ones in the ground,
Should feel when scarab-time comes round
Some hope in dust.
And if when work is done in part,
A voice should say, ‘Lo, death ends all!’
The secret of the scarab-ball
May give us heart.
A voice should say, ‘Lo, death ends all!’
The secret of the scarab-ball
May give us heart.
Behold! the glossy shards divide,
Away the scarabæus flies,
And leaves, in faith, to sun and skies
His hope, his pride.
Away the scarabæus flies,
And leaves, in faith, to sun and skies
His hope, his pride.
| Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile | |