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1 66 THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
The young Americans listened respectfully, and Sallie said,
" That is quite too exquisite. Japanese poetry always reminds
me of Joaquin Miller's Songs of the Sierras. One has to think
a long while before discovering the meaning."
?
Yes," bluntly remarked Fitz.
"
They are like conundrums,
you have to knot your brains before you can solve
them. Mrs. Nambo, do you know tbat Sallie once wrote
a poem on a bird. I'll recite it to you."
His sister shook her head and bit her lips, notwithstanding
which, he continued,
" Oh ! lovely sparrow, looking out for crumbs ,
What is the next line, Sallie? "
" I have forgotten," she said, quickly.
" Please do not
take any notice of him, Mrs. Nambo. I was quite a child
when I wrote that nonsense. You must forgive Fitz, he is
always joking."
? Your effusion was no joke to read, Sallie," was the merry
response.
" It filled ten sheets of paper, and then you had
only finished part first. I think the Japanese poems beat ours;
they are shorter. I can understand the meaning
Mrs. Nambo has- so kindly recited. It is this:
of the one
' The golden sun reflects the image of the beautiful iris in the silvery water from which
it springs ;
The silver moon shining upon the temple gardens reveals the golden chrysanthemum.'
Sallie, you must allow that is true poetry."
"I think your sister's poem began very charmingly," said
the old lady. "I hear my husband's voice; I am glad you
will see him before we leave."
As she spoke, Mr. Nambo entered and welcomed them in
the old Japanese fashion, kneeling and bowing his head repeat-