Songs of the silent world and other poems | ||
97
THE SPHINX.
O glad girls' faces, hushed and fair! how shall I sing for ye?
For the grave picture of a sphinx is all that I can see.
For the grave picture of a sphinx is all that I can see.
Vain is the driving of the sand, and vain the desert's art;
The years strive with her, but she holds the lion in her heart.
The years strive with her, but she holds the lion in her heart.
Baffled or fostered, patient still, the perfect purpose clings;
Flying or folded, strong as stone, she wears the eagle's wings.
Flying or folded, strong as stone, she wears the eagle's wings.
Eastward she looks; against the sky the eternal morning lies;
Silent or pleading, veiled or free, she lifts the woman's eyes.
Silent or pleading, veiled or free, she lifts the woman's eyes.
98
O grave girls' faces, listening kind! glad will I sing for ye,
While the proud figure of the sphinx is all that I can see.
While the proud figure of the sphinx is all that I can see.
Songs of the silent world and other poems | ||