Stars over Egypt

We are the orbs eternal
Lighting the outer void,
Blossoms forever vernal,
Aster and asteroid;
Isis and Osiris
And Ammon, what are they?
They are as marsh fire is;
We are for aye and a day!

The Serapeum solemn,
The Sphinx with brooding lid,
Capital and column,
Pylon and pyramid,
Memnon's silenced singing
Under the dawning ray, —
They are as swallows winging;
We are for aye and a day!

When ne'er a pharos flaming
Brightens the whelmed earth,
When man shall have done with naming
The creatures of mortal birth,
When all the creeds have crumbled
As crumbles the potter's clay,
We shall abide unhumbled;
We are for aye and a day!