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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BURIAL IN THE DESERT, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the shadow of the pyramid Last Line: A field of death surveyed. Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Funerals; Sahara Desert; Burials | |||
IN the shadow of the Pyramid Our brother's grave we made, When the battle-day was done, And the desert's parting sun A field of death surveyed. The blood-red sky above us Was darkening into night, And the Arab watching silently Our sad and hurried rite; The voice of Egypt's river Came hollow and profound; And one lone palm-tree, where we stood, Rocked with a shivery sound: While the shadow of the Pyramid Hung o'er the grave we made, When the battle-day was done, And the desert's parting sun A field of death surveyed. The fathers of our brother Were borne to knightly tombs, With torch-light and with anthem-note, And many waving plumes: But he, the last and noblest Of that high Norman race, With a few brief words of soldier-love Was gathered to his place; In the shadow of the Pyramid, Where his youthful form we laid, When the battle-day was done, And the desert's parting sun A field of death surveyed. But let him, let him slumber By the old Egyptian wave! It is well with those who bear their fame Unsullied to the grave! When brightest names are breathed on, When loftiest fall so fast, We would not call our brother back On dark days to be cast, -- From the shadow of the Pyramid, Where his noble heart we laid, When the battle-day was done, And the desert's parting sun A field of death surveyed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FUNERAL SERMON by ANDREW HUDGINS RETURN FROM DELHI by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE SCATTERING OF EVAN JONES'S ASHES by GALWAY KINNELL BROWNING'S FUNERAL by H. T. MACKENZIE BELL FALLING ASLEEP OVER THE AENEID by ROBERT LOWELL MY FATHER'S BODY by WILLIAM MATTHEWS A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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