Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/443

Rh I watch the clouds hurrying north. Dragons of the sea-rain howl as, Trembling in dark fear, I beat out the bars of this long dirge.

No title

[An attack on the Shogunate]

You, whose ancestors in the mighty days Roared at the skies and swept across the earth, Stand now helpless to drive off wrangling foreigners— How empty your title, “Queller of Barbarians”!

A song of history: Peter the Great

He pushed back the eastern borders three thousand miles, Learned the Dutch science and taught it to his people. Idly we sit talking of our long dead heroes— In a hundred years have we bred such a man?

On hearing that the port of Shimoda has been opened to the foreigners

For seven miles by the river hills the dogs and sheep forage. The hues of spring visit the wastes of quake-ridden earth. Only the cherry blossoms take not on the rank barbarian stench, But breathe to the morning sun the fragrance of a nation’s soul.