The dews are all of one pale silv'ry white:-- Then tell me, if thou canst, oh! tell me why These silv'ry dews so marvellously dye The autumn leaves a myriad colors bright? _Toshiyuki._ XVII _Autumn_ The warp is hoar-frost and the woof is dew-- Too frail, alas! the warp and woof to be:-- For scarce the woods their damask robes endue, When, torn and soiled, they flutter o'er the lea. _Sekiwo._ XVIII _Autumn_ E'en when on earth the thund'ring gods held sway Was such a sight beheld?--Calm Tatsta's flood, Stain'd, as by Chinese art, with hues of blood, Rolls o'er Yamato's peaceful fields away. _Narihira._ XIX _Winter_ When falls the snow, lo! ev'ry herb and tree, That in seclusion through the wintry hours Long time had been held fast, breaks forth in flow'rs That ne'er in spring were known upon the lea. _Tsurayuki._ XX _Winter_ When from the skies, that wintry gloom enshrouds, The blossoms fall and flutter round my head, Methinks the spring e'en now his light must shed O'er heavenly lands that lie beyond the clouds. _Fukayabu._ XXI _Congratulations_ A thousand years of happy life be thine! Live on, my lord, till what are pebbles now, By age united, to great rocks shall grow, Whose venerable sides the moss doth line! _Anon._ XXII _Congratulations_[154] Of all the days and months that hurry by Nor leave a trace, how long the weary tale! And yet how few the springs when in the vale On the dear flow'rets I may feast mine eye! _Okikaze._ XXIII _Congratulations_ If ever mortal in the days of yore By Heav'n a thousand years of life was lent, I wot not; but if never seen before, Be thou the man to make the precedent. _Sosei._ XXIV _Parting_ Mine oft-reiterated pray'rs in vain The parting guest would stay: Oh, cherry-flow'rs! Pour down your petals, that from out these bow'rs He ne'er may find the homeward path again! _Anon._ XXV _Travelling_ With roseate hues that pierce th' autumnal haze The spreading dawn lights up Akashi's shore; But the fair ship, alas! is seen no more:-- An island veils it from my loving gaze. _Attributed to Hitomaro._ XXVI _Travelling_ Miyako-bird! if not in vain men give Thy pleasing name, my question deign to hear:-- And has she pass'd away, my darling dear, Or doth she still for Narihira live? _Narihira._ * * * * * XXVIII _Love_ The barest ledge of rock, if but a seed Alight upon it, lets the pine-tree grow:-- If, then, thy love for me be love indeed, We'll come together, dear; it must be so! _Anon._ XXIX _Love_