Classic Poem

Sweet souls serene, whom nothing can embroil,
Submissive, dutiful, who only know
To serve and love and let the great world go,—
Ye are the roses by the road of toil.
Angelic Indolence! How true a foil
To modern woman's ceaseless rush and show.
Dear little Ladies of fair Tokio
Better your languor than our loud turmoil.
Ah, flowery-kirtled girls with cheeks of tan,
You charm my days, and in my dreams, allure!
Ye dusky maidens, daintily demure,
In tiny gardens sipping cups of tea,—
O cherry-blossom Daughters of Japan,
Take the blown kiss now wafted o'er the sea.