- Top
- -
- Ise Monogatari
Like clouds in heaven, kept only at a distance, all this while— it is the wind upon the mountain where you dwell that blows so hard.
Like clouds in the sky, kept only at a distance all this while—it is the wind upon the mountain where you dwell that blows so fiercely.
For you, my lady, the branch I have broken off— though it is but spring, thus has it taken on an autumn’s crimson leaves.
For you, I have broken this branch—though it is spring, it has thus taken on the crimson leaves of autumn, like my own feelings.
If I go forth and leave, they will say my heart is light— so it may be said; for people do not know the way of this world between us.
If I go forth and leave, they may say that my heart is light; for people do not know the way of this world between us.
Was it in vain that through the passing years in this fleeting world we pledged ourselves so lightly— and thus have I lived?
Was it in vain that through the passing years in this fleeting world we pledged ourselves so lightly—and thus have I lived?
She may be gone, but does she think of me— the jeweled vine? Her image alone appears to me ever more clearly.
She may be gone, yet does she think of me?—like a jeweled vine, her image alone appears ever more vividly before my eyes.
Now that it is so, though one would sow the seeds of the grass of forgetting, would that even this were not left to another’s heart.
Now that it is so and our bond is ended, one may say to forget and sow the seeds of the grass of forgetting; yet would that even this were not left to your heart’s will.
If only I might hear that you had planted the grass of forgetting— then I would know that you had truly thought of me.
If only I were to hear that you had planted the grass of forgetting, I would at least know that you had been thinking of me.
In doubting heart that thinks I would forget— that very doubt makes all the more my sorrow deeper than before.
That doubting heart which thinks I would forget you—because of that very doubt, my sorrow is even deeper than before.
Like clouds that rise and stand in mid-air, leaving no trace— so has my fleeting self come utterly to nothing.
Like clouds that rise and stand in mid-air, leaving no trace, so has my fleeting self come utterly to nothing.
Though it is bitter, I cannot yet forget you, for all your cruelty; and so, even in blame, still do I long for you.
Though I find you cruel and bitter, I cannot forget you; thus, even as I reproach you, I still long for you.
Now that we have met and made our hearts as one— like river water that parts around an island yet flows on without end.
Now that we have met and made our hearts as one, like river water that parts around an island yet flows on without end, so I would have our bond endure.
If autumn nights— a thousand of them— be counted as one, and we should lie through eight thousand nights, would there ever come a time of weariness?
If a thousand autumn nights were counted as one, and we were to lie together through eight thousand nights, would there ever come a time when we should tire of one another?
Though autumn nights— a thousand of them— be made into one, still would words remain, and the cock perhaps would crow.
Even if a thousand autumn nights were made into one, still our words would remain unfinished, and the cock would crow at dawn.
By the well-curb of the round well we once stood— my childish height has surely grown beyond it while I have not seen you.
By the well-curb of the round well where we once stood, my childish height has surely grown beyond it while I have not seen you.
The parted hair we once compared in length has passed my shoulders— if not you, then who shall raise it up for me?
The parted hair we once compared has now grown past my shoulders; if not you, who else could perform the hair-raising for me?
When the wind blows, white waves rise offshore— so on Tatsuta Mountain, in the midnight hours, are you crossing it alone?
When the wind blows and white waves rise offshore, so fearful is Tatsuta Mountain; are you crossing it alone in the middle of the night?