The strings of camels come in single file, Bearing their burdens o'er the desert sands. Swiftly the boats go plying on the Nile— The needs of men are met on every hand, But still I wait For the messenger of God who cometh late. I see a cloud of dust rise on the plain. The measured tread of troops falls on my ear. The soldier comes, the empire to maintain, Bringing the pomp of war, the reign of fear. But still I wait For the messenger of God who cometh late. They set me watching o'er the desert drear, Where dwells the darkness, as the deepest night; From many a mosque there comes the call to prayer— I hear no voice that calls on God for light. But still I wait For the messenger of God who cometh late. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOHRAB AND RUSTUM by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE VILLAIN by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE HOUSE-TOP; A NIGHT PIECE by HERMAN MELVILLE RECOLLECTION by ANNE REEVE ALDRICH DRUM TAPS TO HEAVEN by JAMES CHURCH ALVORD SONNET DEDICATORY by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER |