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Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Afternoon landscape: poems and translations, The reed immortal. (search)
The reed immortal. Inscribed to the Boston Papyrus Club. [Pliny tells us that the Egyptians regarded the papyrus as an emblem of immortality.] Reed of the stagnant waters, Far in the Eastern lands, Rearing thy peaceful daughters In sight of the storied sands! Armies and fleets defying Have swept by that quiet spot, But thine is the life undying, Theirs is the tale forgot. The legions of Alexander Are scattered and gone and fled, And the queen who ruled commander Over Antony, is dead; The marching armies of Cyrus Have vanished in earth again, And only the frail papyrus Still reigns o'er the sons of men. Papyrus! O reed immortal, Survivor of all renown! Thou heed'st not the solemn portal Where heroes and kings go down. The monarchs of generations Have died into dust away; O reed that outlivest nations, Be our symbol of strength to-day!