Of Old Japan
She had meant to send the last poem only to the Prince, but when she learned that it was His Highness himself who had come she sent all.
The Prince read and did not feel that his visit had been in vain, if she also had been awake and sadly dreaming. He wrote promptly and the letter was presented while she was gazing aimlessly. She opened it anxiously and read:
First poem:
She thinks her own sleeves only are wet
But another's also are rotting.
Second poem:
Dew-life soon to vanish away,
Hangs long suspended in forgetfulness of self
On the long-blooming chrysanthemum flower.
Third poem:
Sleepless the call of wild geese on the cloud-track
Yet the pain is from your own heart.
Fourth poem:
There may be another with thoughts like mine,
Who is gazing toward the sky of the morning moon.
Fifth poem:
Although not together
You too were gazing at the moon
Believing that I went this morning to your gate,
Alas!
O that gate hard to be opened!
So her writing had not been uselessly sent!
Towards the moon-hidden day she had another
