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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN THE DESERT by HERMAN MELVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: NEVER PHARAOH'S NIGHT
Last Line: SHEKINAH INTOLERABLY BRIGHT!
Subject(s): EGYPT; SAHARA DESERT;

Never Pharaoh's Night,
Whereof the Hebrew wizards croon,
Did so the Theban flamens try
As me this veritable Noon.

Like blank ocean in blue calm
Undulates the ethereal frame;
In one flowing oriflamme
God flings his fiery standard out.

Battling with the Emirs fierce
Napoleon a great victory won,
Through and through his sword did pierce;
But, bayonetted by this sun
His gunners drop beneath the gun.

Holy, holy, holy Light!
Immaterial incandescence,
Of God the effluence of the essence,
Shekinah intolerably bright!



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