Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ANTONY IN EGYPT, by ARTHUR PETERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANTONY IN EGYPT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweet, how can I leave this land
Last Line: Shall I triumph never more.
Subject(s): Antony, Marc (83-30 B.c.); Egypt; Marcus Antonius; Anthony, Mark


Sweet, how can I leave this land
Which thou rulest with thy wand?
This unholy land, which yet
Is so thick with pleasures set
That the glittering hills of Rome
Cannot draw thy captive home.
O these sweet Egyptian nights!
O these stars, that are but lights
For love's sighs or raillery!
O these perfumed hours that flee!
Royal sorceress, by what art
Dost thou hold my soldier's heart?

To the mountains of the north
March the Roman legions forth;
Gold against their snowy line,
Bright the Roman eagles shine.
But the glitter of the spear
Cannot rouse me like thy tear;
And the tumult of the fight
Has no charm like this sweet night.
Let the wild barbarians swarm,
They but nerve the Roman arm;
In the forests of the Gaul
Fast their bearded heads shall fall;
By the altars of their gods
Heaped shall be the burial-clods;
For the Roman sword hath met
Hand to parry it never yet.
But for me thy magic face;
And the arts which give thee grace;
And the jewels thou dost wear,
Stars, upon thy midnight hair.

Thou art more to me than fame;
Can I call thee dearer name?
Midst the palaces of Rome,
Where proud Caesar has his home,
And the legions of the world,
With their northern banners furled,
Or their tropic marches done,
Halt beneath a victor's sun;
There my name shall be a sneer,
Hateful to a soldier's ear;
There the wreath-crowned conqueror,
Shall I triumph never more.





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