THE EMPEROR'S BREAKFAST
Fifteen centuries ago,
Emperor Nintok of Japan
Walked upon his roof, at morning,
Watching if the work began
Well—to gild the cedar frieze
Of his palace galleries;
Well—to nail the silver plates
Of his inner palace gates;
For the Queen would have it so
Fifteen hundred years ago!
Walking on his roof, he spied
Streets and lanes and quarters teeming,
Saw his city spreading wide:
Ah! but poor and sad in seeming
Showed those lowly wooden huts
