Classic Poem

I

The burden of the Desert,
The Desert like the deep,
That from the south in whirlwinds
Comes rushing up the steep; —
I see the spoiler spoiling,
I hear the strife of blows;
Up, watchman, to thy heights, and say
How the dread conflict goes!

II.

WhaThear'st thou from the desert? —
" A sound, as if a world
Were from its axle lifted up
And to an ocean hurl'd;
The roaring as of waters,
The rushing as of hills,
And lo! the tempest-smoke and cloud,
That all the desert fills. "

III.

What seest thou on the desert? —
" A chariot comes. " he cried,
" With camels and with horsemen,
That travel by its side;
And now a lion darteth
From out the cloud, and he
Looks backward ever as he flies,
As fearing still to see! "

IV.

What, watchman, of the horsemen? —
" They come, and as they ride,
Their horses crouch and tremble,
Nor toss their manes in pride;
The camels wander scatter'd,
The horsemen heed them naught,
But speed, as if they dreaded still
The foe with whom they fought. "

V.

What foe is this, thou watchman? —
" Hark! Hark! the horsemen come;
Still looking on the backward path,
As if they fear'd a doom;
Their locks are white with terror,
Their very shout's a groan;
" Babylon," they cry, " has fallen,
And all her gods are gone!" "