Of Asuka's river
(of morning bird-flights minding)
the upper waters
mid bridging rocks swirl on,
the lower waters
rush rough log-bridges under.
There river-tresses
upon the rocks cling firmly,
wilt and renew
and drift and sway forever,
upon the timbers,
that bear the feet across,
the streamy tangle
in long abundance groweth,
wilting, renewing,
and drifting, swaying ever—

Alas how happ'd it!
As watery tresses graceful
e'er was my lady,
as streamy tangle graceful,
e'er was my lady,
or stood she straight and slender,
or lay she idly
her slim limbs on the matting—
Was it her lord
forgat some morning duty,
or night watch broke,
her lord beloved and comely!
While quick her days were
in time of spring fair flow'rs
to deck their heads,
red sprays in time of autumn
to deck their heads,
amid the wildwoods sought they,
their fine-stuff sleeves
together touching roamed they
the hills around,
with eyes as bright as mirrors
in tireless joyance
on spring and autumn gazed they
the orbèd moon
still rounder growing watch'd they,
the Princess and her lover—

On Kinohe
(of royal drink that mindeth)
a shrine is builded,
where she shall rest forever.
All ended now
their multitudinous
words and glances ended.
Long hath he sorrowed
And all his days are weary
like nuye bird
unmated left and desolate,
like restless wild-fowl
that flutter in the morning
he wand'reth, wond'reth,
beneath his misery drooping
like summer grasses,
like even's star uncertain
his steps are wayward.
His heart like ship at sea toss'd
with sorrow heaveth,
no solace ever
for his woesome soul he findeth,
nor any help
to him may come, come ever.
Her name and story
shall ever move to pity,
while earth and heaven
endure the tale shall sadden,
and her fair name,
to Asuka's stream that answereth,
to the end of time
shall the winding waters hallow
him of her beauty minding.