University of Virginia Library

X.

The battle hath been fought and won;
The Lord hath dealt the blow:
And gladly towards the rising sun
The ransomed people go:
And many a year and many an age
Sweeps over Zoan's heritage,
And many a chief of fame is hid
Within the awful pyramid;
But still, through circling times, the priests
Serve ancient gods with ancient feasts,
And worship still with honour due
Osiris and his demon crew.
Meanwhile Judæa's prophet-lays
Foretel their fall in coming days;
And Mede and Persian from afar
Cry on the chace and urge the war
With battle-axe and scymetar
'Gainst Egypt's rites divine:
Down with the giant forms of old,
Monarch and god together rolled:
Nor spoil of gems, nor bribe of gold,
Can save each idol-shrine.
Morning may rise with purple wings;
But never more shall float
The sound which sun-touched Memnon flings,
That sweet mysterious note:
For shrine and temple are defaced
In undistinguishable waste.