66
In the Hamburg dock the ship cast anchor,
And the king and suite stepped on the main land
Of that Europe which was both the cradle
Of their gilded vision, and its tomb;
They were sold for Jewish pence to gardens
Dilettanti, circuses and jugglers,
Some as pets, and some to be the comrades
Of the strolling fiddlers’ wandering doom.
Such was the most lamentable ending
Of a splendid enterprise that promised
By some thousands more of worthy subjects
To extend the world of culture’s span;
Subjects every whit as apt and handy
With their pantaloons, frock coats and gauntlets,
As the nation that to culture’s treadmill
Now so lightly dooms its fair Japan.
Quenched for ever and for ever, may be,
Is that lamp of progress that was kindled
In the forest world of Hindustani
By a hand of genius past away.
O’er lianas, there, the apish nation
Doubtless wreathes again its dances, naked,
Mangoes eats, and birds’ eggs sucks, forgetful
That it ere was lit by culture’s ray.
X.
Hark! what barbarous strains, I thrust my
Head out from the window sashes;
Lo! a parti-colored couple
In a laughing circle flashes;
