Page:The city of dreadful night - and other poems (IA cityofdreadfulni00thomrich).pdf/102

 Ten thousand years before, ("Come, draw it mild! Don't waste Conk-ology like that, my child!") From where we sit to the horizon's bound A level brilliant plain was spread all round, As level and as brilliant as a sea Under the burning sun; high as your knee Aflame with flowers, yellow and blue and red: Long lines of palm-trees marked out there the bed Of a great river, and among them gleamed A few grey tents. Then four swift horsemen streamed Out of the West, magnificent in ire, Churning the meadow into flakes of fire, Brandishing monstrous spears as if in fight, They wheeled, ducked, charged, and shouted fierce delight: So till they reach the camp: the women there Awaiting them the evening meal prepare; Milk from the goats and camels, dates plucked fresh, Cool curds and cheese, millet, sweet broiled kid's flesh. The spear struck deep hath picketed each barb; A grave proud turbaned man in flowing garb Sups with a grave meek woman, humbly proud, Whose eyes flash empire. Then the solemn crowd