Classic Poem

Trace thou the path which the eagle took,
The first-formed, glorious one;
Which, from its birthplace on the rock,
Went soaring toward the sun.

And seek and see if ye cannot find
On the ancient eastern shore,
One priceless gem from the glitt'ring crown,
Which the Queen of Sheba wore,

And a chord from the harp that David smote;
And a shred of Tyrian stain;
And a leaf from the palms whose boughs were wet,
By the first bright drops of rain.

The earth and the air closed over them;
They are fled with the human hosts;
They returned again to the formless void;
They are less than the dreams of ghosts.

Trace thou the path which the eagle took,
The first-formed, glorious one;
Which, from its birthplace on the rock,
Went soaring toward the sun.

And seek and see if ye cannot find
On the ancient eastern shore,
One priceless gem from the glitt'ring crown,
Which the Queen of Sheba wore,

And a chord from the harp that David smote;
And a shred of Tyrian stain;
And a leaf from the palms whose boughs were wet,
By the first bright drops of rain.

The earth and the air closed over them;
They are fled with the human hosts;
They returned again to the formless void;
They are less than the dreams of ghosts.