Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/200

196 KAMAKURA PERIOD

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Miwataseba Hana mo momiji mo Nakarikeri Ura no tomaya no Aki no yūgure

In this wide landscape I see no cherry blossoms And no crimson leaves—[1] Evening in autumn over A straw-thatched hut by the bay.

Fujiwara no Teika

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Furuhata no Soba no tatsu ki ni Iru hato no Tomo yobu koe no Sugoki yūgure

In a tree standing Beside a desolate field, The voice of a dove Calling to its companions— Lonely, terrible evening.

Saigyō

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Toshi takete Mata koyubeshi to Omoiki ya Inochi narikeri Sayo no Nakayama

Did I ever dream I should pass this way again As an old man? I have lived such a long time— Nakayama of the Night.[2]

Saigyō

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Haruka naru Iwa no hazama ni Hitori ite Hito me omowade Mono omowabaya

Living all alone In this space between the rocks Far from the city, Here, where no one can see me, I shall give myself to grief.

Saigyō

TRANSLATED BY DONALD KEENE

1. Cherry blossoms and crimson leaves were the conventionally admired natural objects of spring and autumn respectively.
2. A place name famous in poetry; such common place names as Nakayama were often identified as here by some descriptive term. See also page 249.