Summer I: 30

Left (Win).

夏の夜はなるゝ清水の浮き枕むすぶ程なきうたゝ寢の夢

natsu no yo wa
naruru shimizu no
ukimakura
musubu hodo naki
utatane no yume
On a summer night
Trickling water cools
Beside my drifting pillow;
No time to dip it
In a brief dozy dream.

Lord Sada’ie.

239

Right.

夏の夜の數にも入れじ時鳥來鳴かぬさきに明るしのゝめ

natsu no yo no
kazu ni mo ireji
hototogisu
kinakanu saki ni
akuru shinonome
Among summer nights’
Number I’ll not count this one:
Before the cuckoo
Can come calling
Comes the dark before bright dawn.

Nobusada.

240

The Right wonder ‘whether “Trickling water beside my drifting pillow” (shimizu no ukimakura) is something that’s likely to occur?’ while the Right counter, ‘and what of “Among summer nights’ number I’ll not count this one” (natsu no yo no kazu ni mo ireji) – it seems somewhat excessive an expression.’ Shunzei states testily, ‘The gentlemen of the Right’s questioning of “drifting pillow” (ukimakura) is absurd, for has there not long been the image of pillowing on a flow? The Right’s “Among summer nights’ number I’ll not count this one”, unavoidably incurs criticism from the gentlemen of the Left. In addition, the Left’s final line is most fine. It should win.’

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