Classic Poem

In the great days of old,
When o'er the land the gods held sov'reign sway,
Our fathers lov'd to say
That the bright gods with tender care enfold
The fortunes of Japan,
Blessing the land with many an holy spell:
And what they lov'd to tell
We of this later age ourselves do prove;
For every living man
May feast his eyes on tokens of their love.
Countless are the hosts attendant
On the heav'n-establish'd throne
Of the Mikado, bright descendant
Of the goddess of the Sun:
But on thee his special grace
Lights to-day, for thou canst trace
From king to king thy noble birth
To the lords of all the earth;
And to thee the word is given
Sacred missives to convey
From the resplendent Son of Heaven
To the far distant limits of Cathay.

May the great immortals dwelling
On the isles that line thy road,
And the gods who in the swelling
Billows make their dread abode,
Gather round and safely guide thee,
While, that nought but good betide thee,
That Great Spirit in whose hand
Lie the fortunes of our land,
And all the gods of heaven and earth,
Flutt'ring down on airy pinions,
From the country of thy birth
Waft thee to Cathay's unknown dominions:

And when, thine embassage concluded,
Hither again thou think'st to come,
May the same great gods that brooded
O'er thy going, bring thee home;
May their fingers help thy vessel
Surely with the waves to wrestle,
As if across the azure line
Thy path were ruled with ink and line, —
That, round bold Chika's headland turning,
Soon thou land on Mitsu's shore.
Oh! tarry not! for thee we're yearning;
On thee may Heav'n its richest blessings pour!