Beneath tangled weeds,
years have passed for one like me—
how could I ever
behold a jeweled dais?

Meaning

For one like me, who has passed the years beneath tangled weeds in this bamboo cutter’s house, how could I ever behold a jeweled dais?

Commentary

This is Princess Kaguya’s reply to the Emperor’s poem: “The homeward royal return weighs heavy on my heart, for she turns away and stays behind—Kaguya-hime.”

Even after meeting the Emperor, Princess Kaguya did not respond to his feelings. Thereafter, Princess Kaguya and the Emperor exchanged letters.

Source

Taketori Monogatari

Other

There was no use at all; worn out with grief to the end, this dying life— will you not save it, if you can?
The homeward royal return weighs heavy on my heart, for she turns away and stays behind— Kaguya-hime.
Now at this moment, when I don the heavenly robe— only now I know how dear you were to me.
Even meeting you floats on tears—my very self; to one like me, what use is the drug that grants no death?

Beneath tangled weeds, years have passed for one like me— how could I ever behold a jeweled dais?

Beneath tangled weeds,
years have passed for one like me—
how could I ever
behold a jeweled dais?