Death & Dying
On the Death of the Mikado Tenji
Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain (1900) · From Elegies
Alas! poor mortal maid! unfit to hold
High converse with the glorious gods above,
Each morn that breaks still finds me unconsoled,
Each hour still hears me sighing for thy love.
Wert thou a precious stone, I'd clasp thee tight
Around mine arm; wert thou a silken dress
I'd ne'er discard thee, either day or night:--
Last night, sweet love! I dreamt I saw thy face.
Codex Note
By One of His Ladies.
Cite this poem
MLA
Classical Japanese Poets. “On the Death of the Mikado Tenji.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/25/.
Chicago
Classical Japanese Poets. “On the Death of the Mikado Tenji.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/25/.
Read this poem with the Codex →