Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/32

10 When first Aurora, his celestial mother, Smiled sweet upon him from the Orient.

Fresh from fierce thunder of the cataracts, Tortured among dark demon-blocks of stone Fireborn, divine Nile smoothes his ruffled flow; Lingers a tranquil, a celestial lake To embrace fair Philæ, Philæ, fairest isle Of all earth's islands! fringed with mirror'd palm, And lotos blossom on the crystalline Laving her bosom; she hath lotos blossom For capitals of her hypæthral fane, Quiet in heaven, tremulous in the river: Where, sundering flowing phantoms of the stars, Boats glide by night, aslant on broider'd sail, Freighted with youth, and love and loveliness: Balmy night breezes, all alive with song, Laughter, and rhythmic plashing of light oars, (While coloured lamp-lights lambent on the ripple Stream from fair vessel, or embower'd shore); Rustle tall fountain'd palms among the stars; As strange slim forms of a most ancient age