Page:One of Cleopatra's nights by F.S. Faust.djvu/11

 The coast is curved with gentle bays, and hills Roll gradual up behind. A fallen people Dwell there amidst the stalking memories Of greatness. All but the name is changed from what It was; so I stand here. My wanderings Have carried me through marvellous strange lands, And thick-filled days, and nights of miracles— So I stand here."

Now while they spoke the barge Moved with the Nile round a sharp elbow turn, And Creon saw the slow, dark water struck With a quick dance of many-colored lights That reached out from a palace on the banks, A many-columned palace of huge front, From out whose entrance poured an eager glow Past granite sphinxes calmly crouched at guard. Then the queen rose and proudly caught the robe About her, and in the movement flashed the jewels Once gloriously. And the queen spoke: "O Creon, I am full deeply wronged by thee, for thou Hast slain my warriors at the quarry gate, Ay, brought strong death so near I almost felt His hand brush past my face. And I have now A thought to call these Nubians and point To thee."

And hotly Creon spoke in answer: "Hear! at thy first word swift I gather thee Within my arms, and raise aloft, and leap To pleasant death within this Nile!"