To The Lily Of The Nile Poem by Lizzie E Palmer

Canst thou tell us lovely stranger,
Of that far-famed sunny clime,
Where the pyramids so stately
Stand like 'Sentinels of time?'

To the charmed ear thou'rt revealing,
Page on page of legends old -
Of that land 'with wonders hoary'
Battle fields of warriors bold.

From the 'regal courts of Memphis,'
Passed a mandate fraught with pain;
And the white-lipped Hebrew questioned,
'Must our infant sons be slain'?

But one tone of wondrous sweetness
Echoed from the sacred page,
Tells how love and faith have triumphed
O'er a haughty Monarch's rage.

The fair Sister's snowy blossoms
Bent above a sleeping child-
Touched his cheek with kisses dainty -
Gently swayed by Zyphers mild.

And with breath of sweetest perfume,
Filled with balm the morning air,
As the kind Egyptian Princess,
Wandered with her maidens fair-

To the brink of ancient Nilus;
Where among the flags and sedge,
They beheld the floating wonder,
Cradled by the rivers edge.

Lovingly young Miriam lingered:
Sunbeams flushed her olive cheek,
As she prayed the royal lady,
'Shall I go a nurse to seek?'

O'er the lotus leaves and lilies,
Fell the Mother's tears of joy,
While she pressed with silent rapture,
To her heart her treasured boy.

Queen of beauty, thy sweet presence
Can a lonely hour beguile;
And pure lessons softly whisper,
Lily of the 'golden Nile!'