Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/76

 In the Hamburg dock the ship cast anchor,

And the king and suite stepped on the main land

Of that Europe which was both the cradle

Of their gilded vision, and its tomb;

They were sold for Jewish pence to gardens

Dilettanti, circuses and jugglers,

Some as pets, and some to be the comrades

Of the strolling fiddlers’ wandering doom.

Such was the most lamentable ending

Of a splendid enterprise that promised

By some thousands more of worthy subjects

To extend the world of culture’s span;

Subjects every whit as apt and handy

With their pantaloons, frock coats and gauntlets,

As the nation that to culture’s treadmill

Now so lightly dooms its fair Japan.

Quenched for ever and for ever, may be,

Is that lamp of progress that was kindled

In the forest world of Hindustani

By a hand of genius past away.

O’er lianas, there, the apish nation

Doubtless wreathes again its dances, naked,

Mangoes eats, and birds’ eggs sucks, forgetful

That it ere was lit by culture’s ray.

Hark! what barbarous strains, I thrust my

Head out from the window sashes;

Lo! a parti-colored couple

In a laughing circle flashes;