CHINOISERIE

By Victoria Sackville West

LOTUS flowers clustering

Round your feet in storeys laid,

Splendid daughter of a King.

In a graven vase of Ming

Peaches, apricots of jade,

Lotus flowers clustering,

All their scentless riches bring,

All around your throne displayed,

Costly daughter of a King.

What young prince astonishing

Rides along the inky glade,

Lotus flowers clustering

Round his camel travelling?

See the leopards unafraid,

Slender daughter of a King!

Coromandel picturing,

Strangely, marvellously made.

Lotus flowers clustering,

Nightingales that cannot sing,

What celestial escapade

Are they nightly witnessing,

Through lotus flowers clustering,

O subtle daughter of a King?