We woke and watched the stars all jewel-bright.
Sudden I heard, as I lay lover-warm
In the encircling hollow of your arm,
The old sad wind of Egypt in the night-

The desert wind that sifts the shifting sand
O'er buried cities and tombs of vanished kings,
Sad with the knowledge of forgotten things
And old with memories none may understand.

Dead kings knew love and passion ere they slept,
Dead cities once were glad with colour and light.
Dust now, and sand.... The wind passed through the night.
I turned to you and hid my face and wept.