Of Old Japan
He: "I am not a person who can leave my house easily. You may think me rude, but my feeling for you grows ardent." And he crept into the room. Felt horribly embarrassed, but conversed together and at daybreak he returned.
Next day's letter:
In what way are you thinking about me? I feel anxiety—
To you it may be a commonplace to speak of love,
But my feeling this morning—
To nothing can it be compared!
She answered:
Whether commonplace or not—
Thoughts do not dwell upon it
For the first time [I] am caught in the toils.
O what a person! What has she done! So tenderly the late Prince spoke to her! She felt regret and her mind was not tranquil. Just then the page came. Awaited a letter, but there was none. It disappointed her; how much in love! When the page returned, a letter was given.
The letter:
Were my heart permitted even to feel the pain of waiting!
It may be to wait is lesser pain—
To-night—not even to wait for—
The Prince read it, and felt deep pity, yet there must be reserve [in going out at night]. His affection for his Princess is unusually light, but he may be thinking it would seem odd to leave home every night. Perhaps he will reserve himself until the mourning for the late Prince is over;[1] it is a sign that his love is not deep. An answer came after nightfall.
- ↑ The period of mourning was to end on June 13, 1003.
