What came before and afterward (She said) I do not know; But I remember well a night In a life long ago. What spoil was I of Egypt sacked? Of what old war the pledge? Around my tent whose army lay, At the great desert's edge? A maiden, or a Satrap's wife, A slave or queen was I Who saw that night the steady stars Go down the living sky? And saw against the heavenly ranks How one stood watch and ward. Black on the stars he stood, and leaned On a cross-hilted sword. There was no sound in all the camp But when a stallion neighed . . . I saw the light of Sirius On the cold blade. Downward, above a single palm, Slowly the great star crept; More motionless my sentry stood, As silently I wept. What wrath had Libya for my loss? In Syria what tears? What king or swineherd cursed his god In those forgotten years? The tale is not in tapestry; The grey monks do not know . . . Only its shadow touches me From out the long ago. Of terror and of tenderness Is that far vigil made, And the green light of Sirius On the chill blade. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK by ROBERT HERRICK A SEA DIALOGUE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE FIRST DAY: PRELUDE. THE WAYSIDE INN by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN TO HIS WIFE by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS ADDRESSED TO A LADY by ROBERT BURNS THE LOVER TO HIS MISTRESS ON HER BIRTHDAY by THOMAS CAMPBELL |