Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEATH'S-HEAD AT THE FEAST, by WILLIAM BRIAN HOOKER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEATH'S-HEAD AT THE FEAST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye glorious sons of egypt's royal race
Last Line: "yet a few years and thou shalt be like this!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Hooker, Brian
Subject(s): Egypt; Yale University


YE glorious sons of Egypt's royal race,
Look on this quiet guest that shrouded lies.
Once pain and joy disturbed that peaceful face;
A woman's lips once pressed those buried eyes.
As he did once, drink deep thine earthly bliss --
Yet a few years and thou shalt be like this.

In crimson cloud slow sinks the hot, red sun;
The glassy Nile refloats the ruddy gleam
And faint sweet songs across the shadows run
Where slumber-closed the lotos lilies dream.
The world is beauty -- death a dark abyss.
Yet a few years and thou shalt be like this.

The eager heart that leaps against thine own,
Her eyes on thee like darkling fires that shine,
The tremulous joy that throbs through blood and bone --
But for a little while these things are thine.
Take while thou may'st that poppy-laden kiss --
Yet a few years and thou shalt be like this.

The mighty guardians of the outer vast --
Osiris, Isis, Horus and the rest --
Ere thy first breath ordained and knew thy last.
Shall woman-born escape their dread behest?
The bow is drawn -- nor shall that arrow miss.
Yet a few years and thou shalt be like this.

Then crown the bowl! Let pour the laughing wine
And song and laughter ring from hall to hall!
Thine age is mortal; make thy youth divine,
For this grim banqueter doth say to all:
"Thine is the hour. Thine own the moment is --
Yet a few years and thou shalt be like this!"





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