Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF A TOYOKUNI COLOUR PRINT, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE OF A TOYOKUNI COLOUR PRINT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Was I a samurai renowned
Last Line: I loved you -- once -- in old japan.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Japan; Japanese


Was I a Samurai renowned,
Two-sworded, fierce, immense of bow?
A histrion angular and profound?
A priest? A porter? -- Child, although
I have forgotten clean, I know
That in the shade of Fujisan,
What time the cherry-orchard blow,
I loved you once in old Japan.

As here you loiter, flowing-gowned
And hugely sashed, with pins a-row
Your quaint head as with flamelets crowned,
Demure, inviting -- even so,
When merry maids in Miyako
To feel the sweet o' the year began,
And green gardens to overflow,
I loved you once in old Japan.

Clear shine the hills; the rice-fields round
Two cranes are circling; sleepy and slow,
A blue canal the lake's blue bound
Breaks at the bamboo bridge; and lo!
Touched with the sundown's spirit and glow,
I see you turn, with flirted fan,
Against the plum-tree's bloomy snow ...
I loved you once in old Japan!

Envoy

Dear, 'twas a dozen lives ago;
But that I was a lucky man
The Toyokuni here will show:
I loved you -- once -- in old Japan.












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