何事を今は頼まんちはやぶる
神も助けぬ我が身なりけり
神も助けぬ我が身なりけり
- Roma-ji
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Nanigoto o ima wa tanoman chihayaburu kami mo tasukenu waga mi narikeri
- English Translation
-
What is there now
that I could put my trust in?
Even the mighty gods
will not come to my aid—
such a one, I find, am I
- Meaning
- What is there left now to trust in? Even the mighty gods, it seems, will not help me.
- Commentary
-
Book Ten Love Poems II 658
Headnote: "Sent when he was at a loss in courting someone."
The poet asks what is left to trust in, for he has found that even the gods will not help him. He expresses the despair of a love that will not be returned however he courts her, and that even prayers to the gods cannot fulfill.
According to the headnote, he sent it when he was at a loss in courting someone. The next poem, 659, is Ōtsubune's reply.
The poet, Taira no Sadafun, was a son of Taira no Yoshikaze and served as Assistant Commander of the Left Military Guards, among other posts. Called Heichū and renowned as a lover, he is known as the hero of the Tale of Heichū.
The first line, "Nanigoto o," means "what."
The second line, "ima wa tanoman," means "should I trust in now?" and the poem pauses here.
The third line, "chihayaburu," is a pillow word for "gods." The next poem, 659, answers by opening with "chihayaburu."
The fourth line, "kami mo tasukenu," means "whom even the gods will not help."
The last line, "waga mi narikeri," means "such a one I am, I find," with "keri" expressing the exclamation of realization.
- Author
- Taira no Sadafun
- Source
- Gosen Wakashu
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Nagarete to nani tanomuran namidagawa kage miyu beku mo omōenaku ni
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Chihayaburu kami mo mimi koso narenurashi samazama inoru toshi mo henureba