Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ELEGY, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ELEGY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The jackals prowl, the serpents hiss
Last Line: Think what a lovely time they had!
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens


THE jackals prowl, the serpents hiss
In what was once Persepolis.
Proud Babylon is but a trace
Upon the desert's dusty face.
The topless towers of Ilium
Are ashes. Judah's harp is dumb.
The fleets of Nineveh and Tyre
Are down with Davy Jones, Esquire
And all the oligarchies, kings,
And potentates that ruled these things
Are gone! But cheer up; don't be sad;
Think what a lovely time they had!





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