(EGYPTIAN FOLK-SONG) <br /> <br />Grim is the face that looks into the night <br /> Over the stretch of sands; <br />A sullen rock in a sea of white-- <br />A ghostly shadow in ghostly light, <br /> Peering and moaning it stands. <br />"Oh, is it the king that rides this way-- <br />Oh, is it the king that rides so free? <br />I have looked for the king this many a day, <br />But the years that mock me will not say <br /> Why tarrieth he!" <br /> <br />'T is not your king that shall ride to-night, <br /> But a child that is fast asleep; <br />And the horse he shall ride is the Dream-horse white-- <br />Aha, he shall speed through the ghostly light <br /> Where the ghostly shadows creep! <br />"My eyes are dull and my face is sere, <br /> Yet unto the word he gave I cling, <br />For he was a Pharaoh that set me here-- <br />And, lo! I have waited this many a year <br /> For him--my king!" <br /> <br />Oh, past thy face my darling shall ride <br /> Swift as the burning winds that bear <br />The sand clouds over the desert wide-- <br />Swift to the verdure and palms beside <br /> The wells off there! <br />"And is it the mighty king I shall see <br /> Come riding into the night? <br />Oh, is it the king come back to me-- <br />Proudly and fiercely rideth he, <br /> With centuries dight!" <br /> <br />I know no king but my dark-eyed dear <br /> That shall ride the Dream-Horse white; <br />But see! he wakes at my bosom here, <br />While the Dream-Horse frettingly lingers near <br /> To speed with my babe to-night! <br />And out of the desert darkness peers <br /> A ghostly, ghastly, shadowy thing <br />Like a spirit come out of the mouldering years, <br />And ever that waiting spectre hears <br /> The coming king!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mother-and-sphinx/
