"Idete inaba
Nushi naki yado to
Narinu tomo
Nokiba no ume yo
Haru wo wasuruna."[1]
But it is at the same time a source of weakness. It makes smooth versification almost a matter of course, but it also renders impossible much variety or force of rhythm. The Japanese poet can hardly do otherwise than obey Pope's precept:—
"Then all your Muse's softer art display,
Let Carolina smooth the tuneful lay,
Lull with Amelia's liquid name the line."
The whole language is composed of words made up, like Carolina and Amelia, of syllables with open vowels preceded by single consonants or none. Nor is he under any temptation to
"Rend with tremendous sound your ears asunder
With gun, drum, trumpet, blunderbuss, and thunder."
His phonetic resources simply will not admit of it. Pope further advises that
"When loud surges lash the sounding shore,
The hoarse rough verse should like a torrent roar.
When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw,
The line too labours and the words move slow."
- ↑ The initial i of inaba is elided. Translation:—
"When I am gone away,
Masterless my dwelling
Though it become—
Oh! plum tree by the eaves,
Forget not thou the spring."
