Love

A Damsel Crossing a Bridge

by Classical Japanese Poets 7th–10th centuries

Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain (1900) · From Love Songs

Love

Across the bridge, with scarlet lacquer glowing,
That o'er the Katashiha's stream is laid,
All trippingly a tender girl is going,
In bodice blue and crimson skirt arrayed.
None to escort her: would that I were knowing
Whether alone she sleeps on virgin bed,
Or if some spouse has won her by his wooing:--
Tell me her house! I'll ask the pretty maid!

✦ ✦ ✦

Anonymous.

MLA

Classical Japanese Poets. “A Damsel Crossing a Bridge.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/18/.

Chicago

Classical Japanese Poets. “A Damsel Crossing a Bridge.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/18/.

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