Page:Lyrics of Life, Coates, 1909.djvu/118



from all,

"Child of the World's old age,"

Heedful of naught beyond the billowy wall

That closely girt her island hermitage,

She pondered still, with half-averted look,

The early lessons of the great World-book,

Nor cared to turn the page,

For a strange dread

Possessed her. To invoke

Aid of her gods she tried,—scarce comforted

That countless barrier-waves about her broke;

But when, with bold command, in Yeddo bay

A squadron anchored,—oh, prodigious day!—

The Orient awoke!

Though one long blind,

At first in fruitless quest

Must grope her course, yet, with enlarging mind,

She quickly clearer saw; and from her breast

Sent forth brave sons—of her new hunger taught—

Who, one by one returning, to her brought

The wisdom of the West.