The Garden of Bright Waters Part 13

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_