Song of a tribe of the ancient Egyptians

(The Priests within the Temple)
She was wrinkled and huge and hideous? She was our Mother.
She was lustful and lewd? -- but a God; we had none other.
In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;
We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

               (The People without)
                      She sent us pain,
                         And we bowed before Her;
                      She smiled again
                         And bade us adore Her.
                      She solaced our woe
                         And soothed our sighing;
                      And what shall we do
                         Now God is dying?

(The Priests within)
She was hungry and ate our children; -- how should we stay Her?
She took our young men and our maidens; -- ours to obey Her.
We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.
She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

               (The People without)
                      She was so strong;
                         But death is stronger.
                      She ruled us long;
                         But Time is longer.
                      She solaced our woe
                         And soothed our sighing;
                      And what shall we do
                         Now God is dying?

Rupert Brooke

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