The Jingo and the Minstrel

An Argument for the Maintenance of Peace and Goodwill with the Japanese People



Glossary for the uninstructed and the hasty:    Jimmu Tenno, ancestor of all the Japanese Emperors; Nikko, Japan's loveliest shrine; Iyeyasu, her greatest statesman; Bushido, her code of knighthood; The Forty-seven Ronins, her classic heroes; Nogi, her latest hero; Fuji, her most beautiful mountain.


                    # The minstrel speaks. #
    "Now do you know of Avalon
        That sailors call Japan?
    She holds as rare a chivalry
        As ever bled for man.
    King Arthur sleeps at Nikko hill
        Where Iyeyasu lies,
    And there the broad Pendragon flag
        In deathless splendor flies."

                    # The jingo answers. #
    "Nay, minstrel, but the great ships come
        From out the sunset sea.
    We cannot greet the souls they bring
        With welcome high and free.
    How can the Nippon nondescripts
        That weird and dreadful band
    Be aught but what we find them here: -
        The blasters of the land?"

                    # The minstrel replies. #
    "First race, first men from anywhere
        To face you, eye to eye.
    For that do you curse Avalon
        And raise a hue and cry?
    These toilers cannot kiss your hand,
        Or fawn with hearts bowed down.
    Be glad for them, and Avalon,
        And Arthur's ghostly crown.

    "No doubt your guests, with sage debate
        In grave things gentlemen
    Will let your trade and farms alone
        And turn them back again.
    But why should brawling braggarts rise
        With hasty words of shame
    To drive them back like dogs and swine
        Who in due honor came?"

                    # The jingo answers. #
    "We cannot give them honor, sir.
        We give them scorn for scorn.
    And Rumor steals around the world
        All white-skinned men to warn
    Against this sleek silk-merchant here
        And viler coolie-man
    And wrath within the courts of war
        Brews on against Japan!"

                    # The minstrel replies. #
    "Must Avalon, with hope forlorn,
        Her back against the wall,
    Have lived her brilliant life in vain
        While ruder tribes take all?
    Must Arthur stand with Asian Celts,
        A ghost with spear and crown,
    Behind the great Pendragon flag
        And be again cut down?

    "Tho Europe's self shall move against
        High Jimmu Tenno's throne
    The Forty-seven Ronin Men
        Will not be found alone.
    For Percival and Bedivere
        And Nogi side by side
    Will stand, - with mourning Merlin there,
        Tho all go down in pride.

    "But has the world the envious dream -
        Ah, such things cannot be, -
    To tear their fairy-land like silk
        And toss it in the sea?
    Must venom rob the future day
        The ultimate world-man
    Of rare Bushido, code of codes,
        The fair heart of Japan?

    "Go, be the guest of Avalon.
        Believe me, it lies there
    Behind the mighty gray sea-wall
        Where heathen bend in prayer:
    Where peasants lift adoring eyes
        To Fuji's crown of snow.
    King Arthur's knights will be your hosts,
        So cleanse your heart, and go.

    "And you will find but gardens sweet
        Prepared beyond the seas,
    And you will find but gentlefolk
        Beneath the cherry-trees.
    So walk you worthy of your Christ
        Tho church bells do not sound,
    And weave the bands of brotherhood
        On Jimmu Tenno's ground."