The Garden of Bright Waters - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
A BOAT COMES IN
Although I shall not see his face For the low riding of the s.h.i.+p, 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 CUs.h.i.+ON
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_
