Mother and sphinx
(EGYPTIAN FOLK-SONG)
Grim is the face that looks into the nightOver the stretch of sands;A sullen rock in a sea of white--A ghostly shadow in ghostly light,Peering and moaning it stands."Oh, is it the king that rides this way--Oh, is it the king that rides so free?I have looked for the king this many a day,But the years that mock me will not sayWhy tarrieth he!"
'T is not your king that shall ride to-night,But a child that is fast asleep;And the horse he shall ride is the Dream-horse white--Aha, he shall speed through the ghostly lightWhere the ghostly shadows creep!"My eyes are dull and my face is sere,Yet unto the word he gave I cling,For he was a Pharaoh that set me here--And, lo! I have waited this many a yearFor him--my king!"
Oh, past thy face my darling shall rideSwift as the burning winds that bearThe sand clouds over the desert wide--Swift to the verdure and palms besideThe wells off there!"And is it the mighty king I shall seeCome riding into the night?Oh, is it the king come back to me--Proudly and fiercely rideth he,With centuries dight!"
I know no king but my dark-eyed dearThat shall ride the Dream-Horse white;But see! he wakes at my bosom here,While the Dream-Horse frettingly lingers nearTo speed with my babe to-night!And out of the desert darkness peersA ghostly, ghastly, shadowy thingLike a spirit come out of the mouldering years,And ever that waiting spectre hearsThe coming king!
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