What came before and afterward (She said) I do not know; But I remember well a night In a life long ago. What spoil was I of Egypt sacked? Of what old war the pledge? Around my tent whose army lay, At the great desert's edge? A maiden, or a Satrap's wife, A slave or queen was I Who saw that night the steady stars Go down the living sky? And saw against the heavenly ranks How one stood watch and ward. Black on the stars he stood, and leaned On a cross-hilted sword. There was no sound in all the camp But when a stallion neighed . . . I saw the light of Sirius On the cold blade. Downward, above a single palm, Slowly the great star crept; More motionless my sentry stood, As silently I wept. What wrath had Libya for my loss? In Syria what tears? What king or swineherd cursed his god In those forgotten years? The tale is not in tapestry; The grey monks do not know . . . Only its shadow touches me From out the long ago. Of terror and of tenderness Is that far vigil made, And the green light of Sirius On the chill blade. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAMPUS SONNET: TALK by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET SISTER MARIA CELESTE, GALILEO'S DAUGHTER, WRITES TO FRIEND by MADELINE DEFREES DESTINY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FLUTE-PRIEST SONG FOR RAIN; CEREMONIAL AT THE SUN SPRING by AMY LOWELL SONG FOR A VIOLA D'AMORE by AMY LOWELL UNWANTED MEMORY by CLARENCE MAJOR IN THE GARDEN AT THE DAWN HOUR by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE BURIAL OF BOSTON CORBETT (ONE WARDEN TO ANOTHER) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |