THE LOVING CUP OF THE PAPYRUS.
49
He comes! the Pharaoh's god! fling wide the door—
Welcome, Osiris! See—thine old prescription
Is honored here; and thou shalt drink once more
With men whose treasured ensign is Egyptian.
A toast! a toast! our guest shall give a toast!
By Nilus' flood, we pray thee, god, inspire us!
He smiles—he wills—let not a word be lost—
His hand upon the cup, he speaks:—
"Papyrus!
"I greet ye! and mine ancient nation shares
In greeting fair from Ammon, Ptah, and Isis,
Whose leaf ye love—dead Egypt's leaf, that bears
Our tale of pride from Cheops to Cambyses.
"We gods of Egypt, who are wise with age—
Five thousand years have washed us clean of passion—
A golden era for this board presage.
While ye do keep this cup in priestly fashion.
