Page:Poems Schiller.djvu/76

But think of that evening,
 When calm skies looked down
On fair Egypt's children,
 And wore not a frown;

And yet when the morning
 Dawned over the land,
Grim death claimed the eldest
 Of each household band.

Or picture that palace
 Of Chaldea's king
Where the hours were joyous
 With gay banqueting.

Where beauty smiled proudly,
 And wine sparkled bright;
While music enchanting
 Swelled out on the night.

And mark you, how sudden
 Upon the fair wall,
Was written the message
 Which terrified all.