Love
On Beholding the Mountain
Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain (1900) · From Love Songs
The long spring day is o'er, and dark despond
My heart invades, and lets the tears flow down,
As all alone I stand, when from beyond
The mount our heav'n-sent monarch's throne doth crown.
There breathes the twilight wind and turns my sleeve.
Ah, gentle breeze! to turn, home to return,
Is all my prayer; I cannot cease to grieve
On this long toilsome road; I burn, I burn!
Yes! the poor heart I used to think so brave
Is all afire, though none the flame may see,
Like to the salt-kilns there by Tsunu's wave,
Where toil the fisher-maidens wearily.
Codex Note
Anonymous. Composed by the commander of the forces of the Mikado Zhiyomei.
Cite this poem
MLA
Classical Japanese Poets. “On Beholding the Mountain.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/7/.
Chicago
Classical Japanese Poets. “On Beholding the Mountain.” Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-japanese-poets/7/.
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