The Tale of Genji Part 41

The trees and herbage, as the year doth wane, For gold and russet leave their former hue-- All but the wave-toss'd flow'rets of the main, That never yet chill autumn's empire knew.

_Yasuhide._

XVI

_Autumn_

The dews are all of one pale silv'ry white:-- Then tell me, if thou canst, oh! tell me why These silv'ry dews so marvellously dye The autumn leaves a myriad colors bright?

_Tos.h.i.+yuki._

XVII

_Autumn_

The warp is h.o.a.r-frost and the woof is dew-- Too frail, alas! the warp and woof to be:-- For scarce the woods their damask robes endue, When, torn and soiled, they flutter o'er the lea.

_Sekiwo._

XVIII

_Autumn_

E'en when on earth the thund'ring G.o.ds held sway Was such a sight beheld?--Calm Tatsta's flood, Stain'd, as by Chinese art, with hues of blood, Rolls o'er Yamato's peaceful fields away.

_Narihira._

XIX

_Winter_

When falls the snow, lo! ev'ry herb and tree, That in seclusion through the wintry hours Long time had been held fast, breaks forth in flow'rs That ne'er in spring were known upon the lea.

_Tsurayuki._

XX

_Winter_

When from the skies, that wintry gloom enshrouds, The blossoms fall and flutter round my head, Methinks the spring e'en now his light must shed O'er heavenly lands that lie beyond the clouds.

_f.u.kayabu._

XXI

_Congratulations_

A thousand years of happy life be thine!

Live on, my lord, till what are pebbles now, By age united, to great rocks shall grow, Whose venerable sides the moss doth line!

_Anon._

XXII

_Congratulations_[154]

Of all the days and months that hurry by Nor leave a trace, how long the weary tale!

And yet how few the springs when in the vale On the dear flow'rets I may feast mine eye!

_Okikaze._

XXIII

_Congratulations_

If ever mortal in the days of yore By Heav'n a thousand years of life was lent, I wot not; but if never seen before, Be thou the man to make the precedent.

_Sosei._

XXIV

_Parting_

Mine oft-reiterated pray'rs in vain The parting guest would stay: Oh, cherry-flow'rs!

Pour down your petals, that from out these bow'rs He ne'er may find the homeward path again!

_Anon._

XXV

_Travelling_

With roseate hues that pierce th' autumnal haze The spreading dawn lights up Akas.h.i.+'s sh.o.r.e; But the fair s.h.i.+p, alas! is seen no more:-- An island veils it from my loving gaze.

_Attributed to Hitomaro._

XXVI