A BOAT COMES IN
Although I shall not see his face For the low riding of the ship, The three armorial oak-leaves on his cloak Will be enough.
But what if I make a mistake And call to the wrong man?
Or make no sign at all, And it is he?
_j.a.panese Street Song._
THE OPINION OF MEN
My desires are like the white snows on Fuji That grow but never melt.
I am becoming proud of my bad reputation; And the more men say, We cannot understand why she loves him, The less I care.
I am sure that in a very short time I shall give myself to him.
_j.a.panese Street Song._
OLD SCENT OF THE PLUM-TREE
Remembering what pa.s.sed Under the scent of the plum-tree, I asked the plum-tree for tidings Of that other.
Alas ... the cold moon of spring....
_From the j.a.panese of Fujiwara Ietaka. (1158-1237)._
AN ORANGE SLEEVE
In the fifth month, When orange-trees Fill all the world with scent, I think of the sleeve Of a girl who loved me.
_From the j.a.panese of Nari-hira._
INVITATION
The chief flower Of the plum-tree of this isle Opens to-night....
Come, singing to the moon, In the third watch.
_From the j.a.panese of a Courtesan of Nagasaki._
THE CLOCKS OF DEATH
In a life where the clocks Are slow or fast, It is a pleasant thing To die together As we are dying.
_From the j.a.panese of the Wife of Bes-syo Ko-saburo Naga-haru, (sixteenth century)._
GREEN FOOD FOR A QUEEN
I was gathering Leaves of the Wakana In springtime.
Why did the snow fall On my dress?
_From the j.a.panese of the Mikado Ko-ko Ten-no, (ninth century)._
THE CUSHION
Your arm should only be A spring night"s dream; If I accepted it to rest my head upon There would be rumours And no delight.
_From the j.a.panese of the daughter of Taira-no Tsu-gu-naka._
A SINGLE NIGHT
Was one night, And that a night Without much sleep, Enough to make me love All the life long?
_From the j.a.panese of the wife of the Mikado Sui-toka In (twelfth century)._
AT A DANCE OF GIRLS
Let the wind"s breath Blow in the glades of the clouds Until they close; So that the beauty of these girls May not escape.
_From the j.a.panese of So-dzyo Hend-zyo._
ALONE ONE NIGHT
This night, Long like the drooping feathers Of the pheasant, The chain of mountains, Shall I sleep alone?
_From the j.a.panese of Kaik-no Motto-no Hitomaro (seventh and eighth centuries)._
_KAFIRISTAN_