Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE EMPEROR OF CHINA, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE EMPEROR OF CHINA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My father was a dreadful bore
Last Line: And join in shouting hosanna!
Subject(s): China; Courts & Courtiers; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens


MY father was a dreadful bore,
A good-for-nothing dandy;
But I'm a mighty Emperor,
And love a bumper of brandy.

These glorious draughts all others surpass
In this, their magical power:
As soon as I have drain'd my glass,
All China bursts into flower.

The Middle Kingdom bursts into life,
A blossoming meadow seeming;
A man I wellnigh become, and my wife
Soon gives me signs of teeming.

On every side abundance reigns,
The sick no longer need potions;
Confucius, Court-philosopher, gains
Distinct and positive notions.

The ryebread the soldiers used to eat
Of almond cakes is made now;
The very vagabonds in the street
In silk and satin parade now.

The knightly Order of Mandarins,
Those weak old invalids, daily
Are gaining strength and filling their skins,
And shaking their pigtails gaily.

The great pagoda, faith's symbol prized,
Is ready for those who're believing;
The last of the Jews are here baptized,
The Dragon's order receiving.

The noble Manchoos exclaim, when freed
From the presence of revolution:
"The bastinado is all that we need,
"We want no constitution!"

The pupils of AEsculapius perhaps
May tell me that drink's dissipation;
But I continue to drink my Schnaps,
To benefit the nation.

And so in drinking I persevere;
It tastes like very manna!
My people are happy, and drink their beer,
And join in shouting Hosanna!





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