Who was the royal Ming That bade his tinkling musicians play All through a wide and windy day Of spring To the royal flowers? -- Bliss Of tall iris, Discreet applause Of cherry and almond boughs Along the ledges Of sun-lacquered hours; Pursed lily-pods Out-lipping one by one, And sudden hush Amid the lush Green sedges! -- There walked the king Beneath the quivering Leaves, The weary players bidden Play on and on, With slight, imperial nods; And in his satin sleeves His hands, omniscient, hidden, As are the hands of gods. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE SUMMER by HAYDEN CARRUTH JOHANNES AGRICOLA IN MEDITATION by ROBERT BROWNING ILLUSIONS by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON THE POET AND HIS BOOK by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY AT HOME IN HEAVEN by JAMES MONTGOMERY THE EPITAPH IN FORM OF A BALLAD by FRANCOIS VILLON |