"BUT, lord," she said, "my shoulders still are strong — I have been used to bear the load so long; "And see, the hill is passed, and smooth the road." "Yet," said the Stranger, "yield me now thy load." Gently he took it from her, and she stood Straight-limbed and lithe, in new-found maidenhood Amid long, sunlit fields; around them sprang A tender breeze, and birds and rivers sang. "My lord," she said, "the land is very fair!" Smiling, he answered: "Was it not so there?" "There?" In her voice a wondering question lay; "Was I not always here, then, as to-day?" He turned to her, with strange, deep eyes aflame, "Knowest thou not this kingdom, nor my name?" "Nay," she replied, "but this I understand — That thou art Lord of life in this dear land!" "Yes, child," he murmured, scarce above his breath: "Lord of the Land, but men have named me Death." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JAWEH AND ALLAH BATTLE by ALLEN GINSBERG A BANJO SONG by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SHE WEEPS OVER RAHOON by JAMES JOYCE JOHN WILKES BOOTH AT THE FARM (JANUARY 12, 1848) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |