Japanese Literature Part 35

THE MAIDEN AND THE DOG

As the bold huntsman on some mountain path Waits for the stag he hopes may pa.s.s that way, So wait I for my love both night and day:-- Then bark not at him, as thou fearest my wrath.

_Anon_.

LOVE IS ALL

Where in spring the sweetest flowers Fill Mount Kaminabi's bowers, Where in autumn dyed with red, Each ancient maple rears its head, And Aska's flood, with sedges lin'd, As a belt the mound doth bind:-- There see my heart--a reed that sways, Nor aught but love's swift stream obeys, And now, if like the dew, dear maid, Life must fade, then let it fade:-- My secret love is not in vain, For thou lov'st me back again.

HUSBAND AND WIFE

WIFE.--

Though other women's husbands ride Along the road in proud array, My husband, up the rough hill-side, On foot must wend his weary way.

The grievous sight with bitter pain My bosom fills, and many a tear Steals down my cheek, and I would fain Do aught to help my husband dear.

Come! take the mirror and the veil, My mother's parting gifts to me; In barter they must sure avail To buy an horse to carry thee!

HUSBAND.--

And I should purchase me an horse, Must not my wife still sadly walk?

No, no! though stony is our course, We'll trudge along and sweetly talk.

_Anon._

HE COMES NOT

He comes not! 'tis in vain I wait; The crane's wild cry strikes on mine ear, The tempest howls, the hour is late, Dark is the raven night and drear:-- And, as I thus stand sighing, The snowflakes round me flying Light on my sleeve, and freeze it crisp and clear.

Sure 'tis too late! he cannot come; Yet trust I still that we may meet, As sailors gayly rowing home Trust in their ship so safe and fleet.

Though waking hours conceal him, Oh! may my dreams reveal him, Filling the long, long night with converse sweet!

_Anon_.

HE AND SHE

HE.--To Hatsuse's vale I'm come, To woo thee, darling, in thy home; But the rain rains down apace, And the snow veils ev'ry place, And now the pheasant 'gins to cry, And the c.o.c.k crows to the sky:-- Now flees the night, the night hath fled, Let me in to share thy bed!

SHE.--To Hatsuse's vale thou'rt come, To woo me, darling, in my home:-- But my mother sleeps hard by, And my father near doth lie; Should I but rise, I'll wake her ear; Should I go out, then he will hear:-- The night hath fled! it may not be, For our love's a mystery!

_Anon._

THE PEARLS

Oh! he my prince, that left my side O'er the twain Lover Hills[142] to roam, Saying that in far Kishiu's tide He'd hunt for pearls to bring them home.

When will he come? With trembling hope I hie me on the busy street, To ask the evening horoscope, That straightway thus gives answer meet--

The lover dear, my pretty girl, For whom thou waitest, comes not yet, Because he's seeking ev'ry pearl Where out at sea the billows fret.

"He comes not yet, my pretty girl!

Because among the riplets clear He's seeking, finding ev'ry pearl; 'Tis that delays thy lover dear.

"Two days at least must come and go, Sev'n days at most will bring him back; 'Twas he himself that told me so:-- Then cease, fair maid, to cry Alack!"

_Anon._

A DAMSEL CROSSING A BRIDGE

Across the bridge, with scarlet lacquer glowing, That o'er the Katashiha's stream is laid, All trippingly a tender girl is going, In bodice blue and crimson skirt arrayed.

None to escort her: would that I were knowing Whether alone she sleeps on virgin bed, Or if some spouse has won her by his wooing:-- Tell me her house! I'll ask the pretty maid!

_Anon_.

SECRET LOVE

If as my spirit yearns for thine Thine yearns for mine, why thus delay?

And yet, what answer might be mine If, pausing on her way, Some gossip bade me tell Whence the deep sighs that from my bosom swell?