Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/73

Makenikeru Au ni shi kaeba Samo araba are

Hiding from men’s eyes. If in exchange for meeting you, Is death so great a price to pay?

When she returned to her own chamber after serving in the court, he would follow after her, without trying to hide his destination. The girl, much upset, returned to her native village.

Once at home, she thought that he would no longer trouble her; but Narihira was delighted at this turn of events, thinking this a wonderful way of meeting far from the sight of men. His visits to the girl were frequent, causing much merriment among her ladies-in-waiting. When he returned to the court in the early morning from the girl’s village, he would remove his shoes at the gate and place them among the footwear of those who had spent the night in the palace, taking care that the morning garden-sweepers did not observe him. Then he would go and wait attendance on the Emperor.

As thus he passed his days in stratagems, becoming more and more deeply involved in this dangerous love, his health began to fail. He wondered what escape there might be for him, and prayed to the gods and the Buddha that he be delivered from this fatal love. But the passion only grew upon him, and all his prayers served but to make him love her all the more.

Unable to drive her from his thoughts, he summoned exorcists and mediums, and had them set up by the Kamo River the divine symbols for deliverance from this love. However much he gave himself over to the chanting of the exorcists and dancers, he was never for an instant free from thoughts of her, and his passion instead became stronger even than before.

Koi seji to Mitarashigawa ni Seshi misogi Kami wa ukezu zo Narinikerashi mo

“Love not!” they chanted, By the river’s holy stream, Purifying me. But the gods listened not; It was all, it seems, for nought.

Thus he recited, and left the riverside.