Classic Poem

On Egypt sleeping in the sultry air
The twain gazed wistful from their terrace high,
Where far they could the Delta's flood descry
Toward Sais or Bubastis onward fare.

Beneath his thick cuirass he, born to dare, —
A captive now to croon a lullaby, —
Felt on his conquering heart surrendered lie
Her form voluptuous pressed still closelier there.

Turning her pale face mid its locks of brown
To him whose reason perfumes had struck down,
She raised her mouth and luring, lustrous eye;

And bent o'er her the chief could but behold
In her great orbs, starry with dots of gold,
Only unbounded seas where galleys fly.