When he was in the presence of the Somedono Empress[1] and, seeing that Her Majesty had placed some cherry blossom in a vase, he composed:
年ふればよはひは老いぬしかはあれど花をし見れば物思もなし
| tosi Fureba yoFaFi Fa oinu sika Fa aredo Fana wo si mireba mono’omoFi mo nasi | The years have passed, and Aged I have become; That is so, and yet When these blossoms I see Regrets have I not a one. |
The Former Grand Minister[2]
[1] Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (Meishi) 藤原明子 (829-900). Daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and consort of Emperor Montoku.
[2] Fujiwara no Yoshifusa 藤原良房 (804-872).