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In
Divers Tones
by
Charles G.D. Roberts
Edited
by Tracy Ware
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KHARTOUM
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Set
in the fierce red desert for a sword,
Drawn and deep-driven implacably!
The tide
Of scorching sand that chafes
thy landward side
Storming thy palms; and past thy front outpoured
The Nile’s vast dread and wonder! Late there
roared
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(While
far off paused the long war, long defied)
Mad tumult thro’ thy streets;
and Gordon died,
Slaughtered amid the yelling rebel horde!
Yet, spite of shame and wrathful tears, Khartoum,
We owe thee certain thanks,
for thou hast shown
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How
still the one a thousand crowds outweighs,—
Still one man’s mood sways millions,—one
man’s doom
Smites nations;—and our
burning spirits own
Not sordid these
nor unheroic days!
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