The Tale of Genji Part 38

Then with despairing, helpless hands I grasp'd The sacred mirror's[147] sphere; And round my shoulder I my garments clasp'd, And prayed with many a tear:--

"'Tis yours, great G.o.ds, that dwell in heav'n on high, Great G.o.ds of earth! 'tis yours To heed, or heed not, a poor father's cry, Who worships and implores!"

Alas! vain pray'rs, that more no more avail!

He languished day by day, Till e'en his infant speech began to fail, And life soon ebbed away.

Stagg'ring with grief I strike my sobbing breast, And wildly dance and groan:-- Ah! such is life! the child that I caress'd Far from mine arms hath flown.

SHORT STANZA ON THE SAME OCCASION

So young, so young! he cannot know the way:-- On Hades' porter I'll a bribe bestow, That on his shoulders the dear infant may Be safely carried to the realms below.

_Attributed to Okura._

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 144: Died A.D. 671.]

[Footnote 145: Viz., with the departed and deified Mikado.]

[Footnote 146: The Milky Way.]

[Footnote 147: The part played by the mirror in the devotions of the j.a.panese is carried back by them to a tale in their mythology which relates the disappearance into a cavern of the Sun-G.o.ddess Amaterasu, and the manner in which she was enticed forth by being led to believe that her reflection in a mirror that was shown to her was another deity more lovely than herself.]

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS

VIEW FROM MOUNT KAGO

_Composed by the Mikado Zhiyomei_

Countless are the mountain-chains Tow'ring o'er c.i.p.ango's plains; But fairest is Mount Kago's peak, Whose heav'nward soaring heights I seek, And gaze on all my realms beneath-- Gaze on the land where vapors wreath O'er many a cot; gaze on the sea, Where cry the sea-gulls merrily.

Yes! 'tis a very pleasant land, Fill'd with joys on either hand, Sweeter than aught beneath the sky, Dear islands of the dragon-fly![148]

THE MIKADO'S BOW[149]

When the dawn is shining, He takes it up and fondles it with pride; When the day's declining, He lays it by his pillow's side.

Hark to the tw.a.n.ging of the string!

This is the Bow of our great Lord and King!

Now to the morning chase they ride, Now to the chase again at eventide: Hark to the tw.a.n.ging of the string!

This is the Bow of our great Lord and King!

_Hashibito_.

SPRING AND AUTUMN

When winter turns to spring, Birds that were songless make their songs resound, Flow'rs that were flow'rless cover all the ground; Yet 'tis no perfect thing:-- I cannot walk, so tangled is each hill; So thick the herbs I cannot pluck my fill.

But in the autumn-tide I cull the scarlet leaves and love them dear, And let the green leaves stay, with many a tear, All on the fair hill-side:-- No time so sweet as that. Away! Away!

Autumn's the time I fain would keep alway.

_Ohogimi._

SPRING

When winter turns to spring, The dews of morn in pearly radiance lie, The mists of eve rise circling to the sky, And Kaminabi's thickets ring With the sweet notes the nightingale doth sing.

_Anon._

RECOLLECTIONS OF MY CHILDREN

Ne'er a melon can I eat, But calls to mind my children dear; Ne'er a chestnut crisp and sweet, But makes the lov'd ones seem more near.

Whence did they come, my life to cheer?

Before mine eyes they seem to sweep, So that I may not even sleep.

What use to me the gold and silver h.o.a.rd?

What use to me the gems most rich and rare?

Brighter by far--aye! bright beyond compare-- The joys my children to my heart afford!

_Yamagami-no Okura._

THE BROOK OF HATSuSE

Pure is Hatsuse mountain-brook-- So pure it mirrors all the clouds of heaven; Yet here no fishermen for shelter look When sailing home at even:-- 'Tis that there are no sandy reaches, Nor sheltering beaches, Where the frail craft might find some shelt'ring nook.