Tomb of Seti I

Nicholas Michell

Hush! hold thy breath — approach yon crypt of gloom —
'Tis Egypt's hero, great Sesostris' tomb!
Ay, he who fought on Indus' burning shore,
And fire and sword to Northern Europe bore,
Unpeopled countries, and wrapped towns in flame,
Like Rome's first Caesar, conquering with his name,
Lies here, states history — search, ye find no bone,
No serecloth left within his cell of stone:
Th' embalmer's art hath proved of little worth,
The worm long conquering him who conquered earth.