The ones I once knew
are gone, and those who remain
grieve—at the world's end
I pass my days weeping, with
nothing gained by leaving it

Meaning

Those I knew are gone, those who remain only grieve; and at this end of the world I pass my days in tears, having gained nothing by renouncing it.

Commentary

Part One: Suma

　On the evening before he left, Genji set out for the northern hills to visit the late Emperor's grave, but went first to take his leave of Fujitsubo, now a nun. They spoke through a blind, exchanging words about their fears for the Heir Apparent, and the feelings between them rose past speaking. When he said he was going to the grave and asked whether she had any message, she brought out this poem with difficulty. He answered, and they parted with nothing more said.

　"Those I once saw" are the dead—the late Emperor. "Those who remain grieve" is the survivors' part. "Somuki" is turning from the world, that is, taking vows, and "having gained nothing" says the suffering did not stop. "Naku naku" is weeping as one goes on, with the word doubled. The confession that renunciation brought no relief adds much to the weight of this chapter.

Author

Murasaki Shikibu

Source

Genji Monogatari

Other

The ones I once knew are gone, and those who remain grieve—at the world's end I pass my days weeping, with nothing gained by leaving it

The ones I once knew
are gone, and those who remain
grieve—at the world's end
I pass my days weeping, with
nothing gained by leaving it