Poems (Henley)/Ballade of a Toyokuni Colour-Print

by William Ernest Henley

BRIC-À-BRAC

 

1877-1888

'The tune of the time.'—Hamlet, concerning Osric

BALLADE OF A TOYOKUNI COLOUR-PRINT To W. A.

Was I a Samurai renowned,Two-sworded, fierce, immense of bow?A histrion angular and profound?A priest? a porter?--Child, althoughI have forgotten clean, I knowThat in the shade of Fujisan,What time the cherry-orchards blow,I loved you once in old Japan.

As here you loiter, flowing-gownedAnd hugely sashed, with pins a-rowYour quaint head as with flamelets crowned,Demure, inviting--even so,When merry maids in MiyakoTo feel the sweet o' the year began,And green gardens to overflow,I loved you once in old Japan.

Clear shine the hills; the rice-fields roundTwo cranes are circling; sleepy and slow,A blue canal the lake's blue boundBreaks at the bamboo bridge; and lo!Touched with the sundown's spirit and glow,I see you turn, with flirted fan,Against the plum-tree's bloomy snow. . . .I loved you once in old Japan!

Envoy

Dear, 'twas a dozen lives ago;But that I was a lucky manThe Toyokuni here will show:I loved you—once—in old Japan.