Elegies
On the Death of the Mikado Tenji144
By One of His Ladies
Alas! poor mortal maid! unfit to hold
High converse with the glorious gods above,145
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.