She hath love by rime and rote,
She is subtle and quick to man!
She danceth? Say she doth float!
Rapture is gold in her eyes!
She sigheth honey-sweet sighs
Of the glory of Japan!
Red are her lips and large,
The delicate courtesan !”
Then the officer’s voice
Caught in his throat for joy.
Like birds in spring that rejoice,
Clearly and softly the boy
Whispered : ‘‘ Now, let us charge!”
Then leaping sheer o’er trench and mound,
They rise as a single man;
They bound like antelopes over the ground
For the glory of Japan.
With glittering steel they wheel—they reel?
They are steady again and straight!
The dull brute Christians red with the weal
Of the knout—they will not wait!
84