University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

expand section 

Soon, neath new éxtreme region, shows our glass,
Have reached our steps. What horror of bergs aloft!
Inhúman sílent solitude of sharp dust:
Wind-burnished stones and rocks! Eternal drought
Here reigns; and granite Horeb towers to heaven.
Gladly it we forsake, and further pass.

87

Then far-descended Nilus, noble Flood,
From Ethiopian heights; and great sea-lakes;
Where dwell negritic tribes, of Africs midst;
Our mirror shows: Whose fruitful stréams make glad,
In their late course; twinned Mizraims ancient sand.
Our marvelling eyes behold, in ríver-cliff;
Mens' carcasses, even now, whole and incorrupt;
(That River-Lánds antíque embalmers art!)
Which lived, ere thousands of Earths lightfoot years:
Laid-up, in gráve-shelves, many as martins' nests.
Exháling yet, to sense, strange noisome breath!
Of cassia and cinnamon, olibane, balsamum, pitch.
Cited, one wakened ín his cerements;
And seemed unfold his iron-stiff wounden corse.
So made respónse, we míght perceive uneath;
A priest he sometime was, in Pharaohs House.
Whilst Pharaohs ruled, seed of their first King-Gods.
 

Sinai.