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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOLDIER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE WILLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DEEP IN THE QUIET WOOD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: FATHER WHIMSETT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: OAKS TUTT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TO MILITARY PROGRESS by MARIANNE MOORE GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: THE ROAD TO BUFFALO by KAREN SWENSON HYBRIDS OF WAR: A MORALITY POEM: 1. VIETNAM by KAREN SWENSON |