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Sweeping； wide…winged； through the blue dome of light。 Everything
mortal has moments immortal； Swift and God…gifted； immeasurably
bright。
So with the stretch of the white road before me； Shining
snowcrystals rainbowed by the sun； Fields that are white； stained with
long； cool； blue shadows； Strong with the strength of my horse as we run。
Joy in the touch of the wind and the sunlight！ Joy！ With the vigorous
earth I am one。
A Coloured Print by Shokei
It winds along the face of a cliff This path which I long to explore；
And over it dashes a waterfall； And the air is full of the roar And the
thunderous voice of waters which sweep In a silver torrent over some
steep。
It clears the path with a mighty bound And tumbles below and away；
And the trees and the bushes which grow in the rocks Are wet with its
jewelled spray； The air is misty and heavy with sound； And small； wet
wildflowers star the ground。
Oh！ The dampness is very good to smell； And the path is soft to
tread； And beyond the fall it winds up and on； While little streamlets
thread Their own meandering way down the hill Each singing its own little
song； until
I forget that 't is only a pictured path； And I hear the water and wind；
And look through the mist； and strain my eyes To see what there is
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A Dome of Many…Coloured Glass
behind； For it must lead to a happy land； This little path by a waterfall
spanned。
Song
Oh！ To be a flower Nodding in the sun； Bending； then upspringing
As the breezes run； Holding up A scent…brimmed cup； Full of summer's
fragrance to the summer sun。
Oh！ To be a butterfly Still； upon a flower； Winking with its painted
wings； Happy in the hour。 Blossoms hold Mines of gold Deep within
the farthest heart of each chaliced flower。
Oh！ To be a cloud Blowing through the blue； Shadowing the
mountains； Rushing loudly through Valleys deep Where torrents keep
Always their plunging thunder and their misty arch of blue。
Oh！ To be a wave Splintering on the sand； Drawing back； but
leaving Lingeringly the land。 Rainbow light Flashes bright Telling
tales of coral caves half hid in yellow sand。
Soon they die； the flowers； Insects live a day； Clouds dissolve in
showers； Only waves at play Last forever。 Shall endeavor Make a sea
of purpose mightier than we dream to…day？
The Fool Errant
The Fool Errant sat by the highway of life And his gaze wandered up
and his gaze wandered down； A vigorous youth； but with no wish to walk；
Yet his longing was great for the distant town。
He whistled a little frivolous tune Which he felt to be pulsing with
ecstasy； For he thought that success always followed desire； Such a very
superlative fool was he。
A maiden came by on an ambling mule； Her gown was rose…red and
her kerchief blue； On her lap she carried a basket of eggs。 Thought the
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A Dome of Many…Coloured Glass
fool； 〃There is certainly room for two。〃
So he jauntily swaggered towards the maid And put out his hand to
the bridle…rein。 〃My pretty girl；〃 quoth the fool； 〃take me up； For to ride
with you to the town I am fain。〃
But the maiden struck at his upraised arm And pelted him hotly with
eggs； a score。 The mule； lashed into a fury； ran； The fool went back to
his stone and swore。
Then out of the cloud of settling dust The burly form of an abbot
appeared； Reading his office he rode to the town。 And the fool got up；
for his heart was cheered。
He stood in the midst of the long； white road And swept off his cap
till it touched the ground。 〃Ah； Reverent Sir； well met；〃 said the fool； 〃A
worthier transport never was found。
〃I pray you allow me to mount with you； Your palfrey seems both
sturdy and young。〃 The abbot looked up from the holy book And cried
out in anger； 〃Hold your tongue！
〃How dare you obstruct the King's highroad； You saucy varlet； get
out of my way。〃 Then he gave the fool a cut with his whip And leaving
him smarting； he rode away。
The fool was angry； the fool was sore； And he cursed the folly of
monks and maids。 〃If I could but meet with a man；〃 sighed the fool； 〃For
a woman fears； and a friar upbraids。〃
Then he saw a flashing of distant steel And the clanking of harness
greeted his ears； And up the road journeyed knights…at…arms； With
waving plumes and glittering spears。
The fool took notice and slowly arose； Not quite so sure was his
foolish heart。 If priests and women would none of him Was it likely a
knight would take his part？
They sang as they rode； these lusty boys； When one chanced to turn
toward the highway's side； 〃There's a sorry figure of fun；〃 jested he；
〃Well； Sirrah！ move back； there is scarce room to ride。〃
〃Good Sirs； Kind Sirs；〃 begged the crestfallen fool； 〃I pray of your
courtesy speech with you； I'm for yonder town； and have no horse to ride；
Have you never a charger will carry two？〃
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Then the company halted and laughed out loud。 〃Was such a request
ever made to a knight？〃 〃And where are your legs；〃 asked one； 〃if you
start； You may be inside the town gates to…night。〃
〃'T is a lazy fellow； let him alone； They've no room in the town for
such idlers as he。〃 But one bent from his saddle and said； 〃My man； Art
thou not ashamed to beg charity！
〃Thou art well set up； and thy legs are strong； But it much misgives
me lest thou'rt a fool； For beggars get only a beggar's crust； Wise men
are reared i