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Over the stretch of sands;
A sullen rock in a sea of white --
A ghostly shadow in ghostly light,
Peering and moaning it stands.
_"Oh, is it the king that rides this way --
Oh, is it the king that rides so free?
I have looked for the king this many a day,
But the years that mock me will not say
Why tarrieth he! "_
But a child that is fast asleep;
And the horse he shall ride is the Dream-horse white --
Aha, he shall speed through the ghostly light
Where the ghostly shadows creep!
_"My eyes are dull and my face is sere,
Yet unto the word he gave I cling,
For he was a Pharaoh that set me here --
And, lo! I have waited this many a year
For him -- my king! "_
Swift as the burning winds that bear
The sand clouds over the desert wide --
Swift to the verdure and palms beside
The wells off there!
_"And is it the mighty king I shall see
Come riding into the night?
Oh, is it the king come back to me --
Proudly and fiercely rideth he,
With centuries dight! "_
That shall ride the Dream-Horse white;
But see! he wakes at my bosom here,
While the Dream-Horse frettingly lingers near
To speed with my babe to-night!
_And out of the desert darkness peers
A ghostly, ghastly, shadowy thing
Like a spirit come out of the mouldering years,
And ever that waiting spectre hears
The coming king! _
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