Francis William Lauderdale Adams (1862-1893)

From Songs of the Army of the Night.

Dai Butsu*

He sits. Upon the kingly head doth rest

The round-balled wimple, and the heavy rings

Touch on the shoulders where the swallow clings;

The downward garment shows the ambiguous breast;

The Face--that Face one scarce can look on, lest

One learn the secret of unspeakable things;

But the dread gaze descends with shudderings

To the veiled couched knees, the hands and thumbs close-pressed.

O lidded downcast eyes that bear the weight

Of all our woes and terrible wrong's increase,

Proud nostrils, lips proud-perfecter than these,

With what a soul within you do you wait--

Disdain and pity, love late-born of hate,

Passion eternal, patience, pride and peace!

*One of three giant statues of the Buddha in Japan.