[Pg 65]

AN ORIENTAL APOLOGY

  When the hour was come Prince Chun arose, And balanced a shoestring on his nose. “From this some notion you will get,”  Said he, “of China’s deep regret.”

“From this some notion you will get,”

  Now balancing upon his ear A stein of foaming lager beer, “This attitude,” said he, “reveals How very sorry China feels.”

“This attitude,” said he, “reveals

  Then spinning top-like on his cue, “I can’t begin to tell to you The deep remorse we suffer for The death of your Ambassador.”

“I can’t begin to tell to you

  Next, placing on his cue a plate, He said, as it ’gan to gyrate: “Nothing that’s happened in his reign Has caused my Emperor so much pain.”

“Nothing that’s happened in his reign

  Upon his back he did declare, While juggling five balls in the air, “This attitude—the humblest yet—  Expresses personal regret.”

“This attitude—the humblest yet—

  Last, spreading out a deck of cards— “Accept my Emperor’s regards. As our intentions were well meant, Pray overlook the incident.”

“Accept my Emperor’s regards.

[Pg 66]

[Pg 66]

THE DAY OF THE COMET

(May 18, 1910.)

(May 18, 1910.)

  Here it is—Eighteenth of May! Dawneth now the fatal day When we take the awful veil Of the fearsome comet’s tail. Vale, Earth!

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