KINGS IN GARDENS 



like a hall of green, just inside the door, and but 

 one way out, and that through an archway of 

 pomegranates in full flower. And this we pass 

 through, and at once we are in an orderly place, 

 and it is Holland, and very, very quiet. Rows 

 and rows of tulips and hyacinths burning with 

 colour are on each side of us, and the pathway is 

 of red brick and the borders of box. Behind the 

 border on either side a clear-water canal runs, 

 making no sound. Behind that again are box 

 trees and yew trees in tubs, and the trees are 

 curiously cut into the shape of peacocks and 

 ships and men holding clubs. The king says, 

 " I suppose we can smoke here ? " And at that 

 minute I see a little arbour contrived in a hedge 

 of yew, and in it a table and seats, and on the 

 table a brass box of tobacco and clay pipes. So 

 we sit down. 



In the dream I say, " Now, I want to know, 

 your majesty . . ." and the king always says, 

 " Oh, let's drop all that, we are all kings in 

 gardens." " But," I say, " I have always wanted 

 to know what it felt like to be a king." And 

 he looks over thelwonderful flowers with his eyes 

 far away, as if he were counting his subjects, and 



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