The coast is curved with gentle bays, and hills
Roll gradual up behind. A fallen people
Dwell there amidst the stalking memories
Of greatness. All but the name is changed from what
It was; so I stand here. My wanderings
Have carried me through marvellous strange lands,
And thick-filled days, and nights of miracles—
So I stand here."
Now while they spoke the barge
Moved with the Nile round a sharp elbow turn,
And Creon saw the slow, dark water struck
With a quick dance of many-colored lights
That reached out from a palace on the banks,
A many-columned palace of huge front,
From out whose entrance poured an eager glow
Past granite sphinxes calmly crouched at guard.
Then the queen rose and proudly caught the robe
About her, and in the movement flashed the jewels
Once gloriously. And the queen spoke: "O Creon,
I am full deeply wronged by thee, for thou
Hast slain my warriors at the quarry gate,
Ay, brought strong death so near I almost felt
His hand brush past my face. And I have now
A thought to call these Nubians and point To thee."
And hotly Creon spoke in answer:
"Hear! at thy first word swift I gather thee
Within my arms, and raise aloft, and leap
To pleasant death within this Nile!"
[ 8 ]
