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 Akashi's shore;
But the fair ship, alas! is seen no more:--
An island veils it from my loving gaze.

_Attributed to Hitomaro._

XXVI

_Travelling_

Miyako-bird! if not in vain men give
Thy pleasing name, my question deign to hear:--
And has she pass'd away, my darling dear,
Or doth she still for Narihira live?

_Narihira._

* * * * *

XXVIII

_Love_

The barest ledge of rock, if but a seed
Alight upon it, lets the pine-tree grow:--
If, then, thy love for me be love indeed,
We'll come together, dear; it must be so!

_Anon._

XXIX

_Love_

There is on earth a thing more bootless still
Than to write figures on a running stream:--
And that thing is (believe me if you will)
To dream of one who ne'er of you doth dream.

_Anon._

* * * * *

XXXI

_Love_

Since that first night when, bath'd in hopeless tears,
I sank asleep, and he I love did seem
To visit me, I welcome ev'ry dream,
Sure that they come as heav'n-sent messengers.

_Komachi._

XXXII

_Love_

Methinks my tenderness the grass must be,
Clothing some mountain desolate and lone;
For though it daily grows luxuriantly,
To ev'ry mortal eye 'tis still unknown.

_Yoshiki._

XXXIII

_Love_

Upon the causeway through the land of dreams
Surely the dews must plentifully light:--
For when I've wandered up and down all night,
My sleeve's so wet that nought will dry its streams.

_Tsurayuki._

XXXIV

_Love_

Fast fall the silv'ry dews, albeit not yet