Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CARAVAN, by THEOPHILE GAUTIER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CARAVAN, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Amid the world's sahara, by the path
Last Line: Lie down poor, breathless pilgrims, sleep at last!
Alternate Author Name(s): Theo, Le Bon


Amid the world's Sahara, by the path
Of doleful years that no man can retrace,
The human Caravan toils slowly on,
Quenching its thirst with bloody sweat alone.
The lion roars—the tempest raves—and still
(No tower, or dome, or minaret in sight)
Forward the dim horizon seems to fly.
High o'er our heads the vulture scents his prey—
His ghastly shadow is our only shade—
While on we stagger, till our languid eyes
Fall on a far-off lonely spot of green,
A grove of cypress, dotted with white stones.
God in his mercy on the sands of Time
Hath dropped one oasis—the Cemet'ry.
Lie down poor, breathless pilgrims, sleep at last!





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