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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LEGEND, by ANNE MCCLURE
First Line: Embattled japanese in furious wrath
Last Line: With blood so spilt a thousand years ago.
Subject(s): Japan; Soldiers; Japanese
First Line: Embattled japanese in furious wrath
Last Line: With blood so spilt a thousand years ago.
Subject(s): Japan; Soldiers; Japanese
Embattled Japanese in furious wrath,
The teeth all bared in each distorted face,
With naked, murderous swords fight to the death
To decorate this old Satsuma vase.
What marvelous skill and patience put them there
In prodigal numbers and minute detail,
Writhing and savage, while the clothes they wear
Float all about them, and magnificently trail!
This ancient pottery of rare design
Telling its fabulous tale of Samurai bold
With curving exquisite lip -- so queer of line --
So quaint and ugly-lovely to behold --
Clasps bitter-sweet; and seems to overflow
With blood so spilt a thousand years ago.
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