Chinese Poetry in English Verse (古今詩選)
Author: first_name: Herbert Allen
last_name: Giles
Language: English
Year: 1898

<i>Dear Land of Flowers, forgive me! -- that I took<br />These snatches from thy glittering wealth of song, <br />And twisted to the uses of a book <br />Strains that to alien harps can na'er belong. <br /><br />Thy gems shine purer in their native bed <br />Concealed, beyond the pry of vulgar eyes; <br />And there, through labyrinths of language led, <br />The patient student grasps the glowing prize. <br /><br />Yet many, in their race toward other goals, <br />May joy to feel, albeit at secon