Sphinx

O glad girls' faces, hushed and fair! how shall I sing for ye? For the grave picture of a sphinx is all that I can see. Vain is the driving of the sand, and vain the desert's art; The years strive with her, but she holds the lion in her heart. Baffled or fostered, patient still, the perfect purpose clings; Flying or folded, strong as stone, she wears the eagle's wings. Eastward she looks; against the sky the eternal morning lies; Silent or pleading, veiled or free, she lifts the woman's eyes. O grave girls' faces, listening kind! glad will I sing for ye, While the proud figure of the sphinx is all that I can see.