Page:Things Japanese (1905).djvu/485

Rh Chorus. E'en when the feath'ry shock

Of fairies flitting past with silv'ry pinions

Shall wear away the granite rock!

Chorus. Oh, magic strains that fill our ravish'd ears!

The fairy sings, and from the cloudy spheres,

Chiming in unison, the angels lutes,

Tabrets, and cymbals, and sweet silv'ry flutes,

Ring through the heav'n that glows with purple hues,

As when Someiro's western slope endues

The tints of sunset, while the azure wave

From isle to isle the pine-clad shores doth lave.

From Ukishima's slope—a beauteous storm—

Whirl down the flow'rs: and still that magic form,

Those snowy pinions, flutt'ring in the light,

Ravish our souls with wonder and delight.

Fairy. Hail to the Kings that o'er the Moon hold sway!

Heav'n is their home, and Buddhas, too, are they.

Chorus. The fairy robes the maiden's limbs endue

Fairy. Are, like the very heav'ns, of tend'rest blue;

Chorus. Or, like the mists of spring, all silv'ry white,

Fairy. Fragrant and fair,—too fair for mortal sight!