The Flower of Old Japan, and Other Poems

Shyly we surveyed our guides As through the gloomy woods we went In the light that the straggling moonbeams lent: We envied them their easy strides! Pease-blossom in his crimson...

Ah, what wonders round us rose When we dared to pause and look, Curious things that seemed all toes, Goblins from a picture-book; Ants like witches, four feet high, Waving all t...

With rosy finger-tips the Dawn Drew back the silver veils, Till lilac shimmered into lawn Above the satin sails; And o’er the waters, white and wan, In tiny patterned state, We...

The white moon dawned; the sunset died; And stars were trembling when we spied The rose-red temple of our dreams: Its lamp-lit gardens glimmered cool With many an onyx-paven poo...

When the firelight, red and clear, Flutters in the black wet pane, It is very good to hear Howling winds and trotting rain: It is very good indeed, When the nights are dark and...

Oh, grown-ups cannot understand And grown-ups never will, How short’s the way to fairy-land Across the purple hill: They smile: their smile is very bland, Their eyes are wise an...

Like the dawn upon a dream Slowly through the scented gloom Crept once more the ruddy gleam O’er the friendly nursery room. There, before our waking eyes, Large and ghostly, whi...

We told dear father all our tale That night before we went to bed, And at the end his face grew pale, And he bent over us and said (Was it not strange?) he, too, was there, A we...

Now father stood engaged in talk With mother on that narrow walk Between the laurels (where we play At Red-skins lurking for their prey) And the grey old wall of roses Where the...