“Cloud never gave birth, nor cradle the Earth, To river so grand and fair as this is: Not the waves that roll us the gold of Pactolus, Nor cool Cephissus, nor classic Ilissus. The lily may dip Her ivory lip, To kiss the ripples of clear Eurotas; But the Nile brings balm From the myrr and palm, And the ripe, voluptuous lips of the lotus. The waves that ride on his mighty tide Were poured from the urns of unvisited mountains; And their sweets of the South mingle cool in the mouth, With the freshness and sparkle of Northern fountains. Again and again The goblet we drain— Diviner a stream never Nereid swam on: For Isis and Orus Have quaffed before us, And Ganymede dipped it for Jupiter Ammon.” His admiration was not spasmodic, for he always mentioned the Nile as the most majestic of rivers. To the majority of travellers, however, the hoary ruins of mighty cities, the tombs of priests, and the pyramids of kings are so much more exciting and mysterious, that the Nile is itself of secondary importance. Yet, Mr. Taylor, with all his interest in the river, did not have less in the celebrated localities and ancient remains. He ascended many honeycombed mountains, to creep among the bones of men who lived thirty-five hundred years ago. He gazed with a yearning interest upon the broken columns of unknown temples, and dreamed of their former grandeur, while apathetically overseeing the affairs of his little monarchy over which he kept floating the Stars and Stripes. He became so absorbed in the climate, the people, and the history of the land, that he soon adopted the full costume of the country and became henceforth an Arab with the others. He was marvellously quick in picking up the words and phrases of any language, and soon, with the aid of a small phrase-book, he could readily converse with the natives along the shore. These characteristics made it safe and pleasant for him to travel where many others would have found only misery and death. CHAPTER XVIII. Moslem Worship.—Scenery of the Nile.—Fellowship with the People.—The Temple of Dendera.—Mr. Taylor’s Enthusiasm.—Luxor.—Karnak.—The Extent of Ancient Thebes.—The Tombs and Statues.—The Natives.—Arrives at Assouan.—The Island of Philæ,—Separation of the Friends.—Starts for the White Nile.—Trip through the Desert.—Again on the Nile.—Reception by the People and Officials.—Visits Ancient Meroe.