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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

Underneath the King's gates gleaming.