Four Sages stood to chant a stave Above the proud Earth Conqueror's grave; And all their words were words of candour Above the urn of Alexander. The first began: "But yesterday, When all in State the Great King lay, Myriads around him made their moan, To-day he lieth all alone!" "But yesterday," the second sang, "O'er earth his charger's hoof outrang; To-day its outraged soil instead Is riding heavy o'er his head!" "But yesterday," the third went on, "All earth was swayed by Philip's son; To-day to shroud his calcined bones Seven feet thereof is all he owns!" "But yesterday, so liberal he, Silver and gold he scattered free; To-day," the last outsighed his thought, "His wealth abounds but he is naught!" Thus sentence gave these Sages four Above the buried Emperor; It was no foolish women's prate That held them thus in high debate. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOROTHY DANCES by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE LAST MAN: A CROCODILE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES HASTE NOT! REST NOT! by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE SNOWFLAKES by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW UNSEASONABLE SNOWS by ALFRED AUSTIN |