Yakamochi to His Wife

Together dwelt my Lady-wife and I,
And with the years so grew our mutual love,
While each new Spring, when on the earliest flowers
We gazed together, so in form and soul
She seemed to draw new loveliness herself
From their young beauty—Wife! so far from me!
When, in obedience to my Sov'reign Lord,
I crossed through frowning passes thick with trees,
And o'er wild moors, to frontiers heaven-far.
Since we were parted, months have come and gone,
The cherry-flowers have bloomed and passed away,
And thou, sweet wife! not one short glimpse of thee
My heart has gladdened! Sorrowful and wan
Each night my sleeve I backward turn, if so
Haply in dreams to see thee! Yet I would
Thy very self, and not thy dream-form see.
Would I could seek thee, and the long night through
Make thy white arm my pillow.—But alas!
Long lie the spear-ways, as a barrier
Parting us, till a happier time be ours!
Ay! when the cuckoo blithely singing comes,
In his own month (ah! would that it were here!)

When all the hills are white with hare-bush blooms,
Then shall I gaze across the shining space
Of Omi's waters, to our distant home;
Nara, the City-Royal, and our home!
Like the sad Nuyé bird, impatient too,
I shall set forth, my eager heart and soul
One great glad longing for the sight of thee!
Sight of thee standing in our doorway dear,
Listening to passing words as oracles,
Searching with earnest gaze the distant road
(Sad, at the evening shadows lengthening)
For me who come apace to meet my love?