Wandering dogs and prowling cats

Grinned at fish in painted lakes;

Cross-legged conjurers on mats

Fluted low to listening snakes.

Fat black bonzes on the shore

Watched where singing, faint and far,

Boys in long blue garments bore

Roses in a golden jar.

While at carven dragon ships

Floating o'er that silent sea,

Squat-limbed gods with dreadful lips

Leered and smiled mysteriously.

Like an idol, shrined alone,

Watched by secret oval eyes,

Where the ruby wishing-stone

Smouldering in the darkness lies,

Anyone that wanted things

Touched the jewel and they came;

We were wealthier than kings

Could we only do the same.

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