Down the Nile. I RIGHT-ABOUT-FACE!-Sweet sunny South, good bye! Northward we turn our melancholy gaze; The rising Pole-star fronts us in the sky, Rearward the "Southern Cross" melts in the haze; Down Nile's mysterious stream we slowly glide, Whose secret source let LIVINGSTONE decide. 2 But oft our boat, like a young bashful girl, 3 Our crew's proceedings were a constant puzzle, Ofttimes in full career they'd stop to guzzle, While our good Rais seemed to have lost his wits Ever since parting from his Nubian spouse At ASSOUAN, where he possessed a house. 4 Of course we stopped at EDFOO's stately pile, Sacred to HOR-HAT, ATHOR, and young HORUS; And viewed the temple of the Crocodile At ancient OMBOS, with no boys to bore us : At SILSILIS those quarries we surveyed From which so many structures vast were made. 5 We also landed oft to grope about In sundry grottoes smelling strong of bats; But all the mummies had been taken out Of men and crocodiles and birds and cats, And other creatures scarcely worth the cost Of thus embalming, since 'twas labour lost. * The village-boys of Egypt seem to consider it their special duty and privilege to worry travellers, and may be fairly classed with flies in the category of modern Egyptian plagues, 6 One morning, mightily to our amaze, A boat in full sail hailed us as she passed, And suddenly, to our astonished gaze, A bag of English letters to us cast; Some newspapers were also with them hurled, 7 Foremost and first, the poor French Emperor dead! By German bullets spared to die in peace, Far from his subjects, in an English bed; Gone to that world where earthly troubles cease; Once fickle Fortune's favourite, at last A vanquished fugitive;—now all is past! 8 Thus has man's mad ambition been reproved Since history's dawn;-witness these scenes around, Where mighty kings majestically moved Like gods, and worshippers by millions found. Where are they now?-their tombs and temples where? Naught-naught is left but desolation bare! 9 Once more at THEBES!-We took a moonlight stroll Amid the gloom of KARNAK'S columned halls Rich treat for an imaginative soul, Provided that no ghostly fear appals, And donkey-boys can be bribed into quiet; ΙΟ The valley of the "Tombs of ancient Kings” Of their contents each learned guide-book sings, II With rapture I renewed my fond alliance With gentle Fatima, my donkey-lass, Who quite returned my flame, and frowned defi ance On jealous rivals; so it came to pass That she and little Miriam took their seat Near me when tired, and tickled both my feet.* 12 And I commend this pleasant operation 13 Well, the sad moment came at last to part From the nymph FATIMA, and THEBES, and I hope for a small corner in her heart, [LUXOR ; Even should she become some Arab's "uxor!" Our next adventure in our Nile-life's lottery Found us at KENEH, famous for its pottery. 14 The British Consul there, of visage black, He came to dine, and made a brisk attack On potent wine, which raised such fire within, * The intention was to shampoo, but the sole result of their infantine efforts was that above stated. |