Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/42

 And Palace courts whose constellated lights Shine on black slaves and cringing satellites.


 * Eclipsing with her fate
 * Each power and rival state

With her unnumbered stretch of generations,
 * A sand-surrounded isle
 * Fed by the bounteous Nile,

Egypt confronts Sahara—sphinx of nations; Taught by the floods that make or mar her shore, She scans the stars and hoards mysterious lore.


 * Hers are imperial halls
 * With strangely scriptured walls

And long perspectives of memorial places,
 * Where the hushed daylight glows
 * On mute colossal rows

Of clawed wild beasts featured with female faces,