Did they catch as it were in a Vision at shut of the day -- When their cavalry smote through the ancient Esdraelon Plain, And they crossed where the Tishbite stood forth in his enemy's way -- His gaunt mournful Shade as he bade the King hast off amain? On war-men at this end of time - even on Englishmen's eyes -- Who slay with their arms of new might in the long-ago place, Flashed he who drove furiously? . . . Ah, did the phantom rise Of that queen, of that proud Tyrian woman who painted her face? Faintly marked they the words "Throw her down!" from the night eerily, Specter-spots of the blood her body on some rotten wall? And the thin note of pity that came: "A King's daughter is she," As they passed where she trodden was once by the chargers' footfall? Could such be the hauntings of men of today, at the cease Of pursuit, at the dusk-hour, ere slumber their senses could seal? Enghosted seers, kings - one on horseback who asked "Is it peace?" Yea, strange things and spectral may men have beheld in Jezreel! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: WIDOW MCFARLANE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE WIZARD IN WORDS by MARIANNE MOORE THE PICKET-GUARD [NOVEMBER, 1861] by ETHEL LYNN BEERS HE WROTE THE HISTORY BOOK,' IT SAID by MARIANNE MOORE SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 30. CHRIST AND WOMAN by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) RECOGNITION by SUSIE MONTGOMERY BEST |