Around the Second Month, on a night when the moon was particularly bright, a large number of people were gathered in the Nijō Palace, staying up all night and chatting about various things; Lady Suō lay down, saying quietly that she wished she had a pillow; hearing her, Major Councillor Tada’ie thrust his arm under the curtains, saying, “‘Use this for your pillow!’ So, she composed this:
春の夜の夢ばかりなる手枕にかひなく立たむ名こそをしけれ
| Faru no yo no yume bakari naru tamakura ni kaFinaku tatamu na koso wosikere |
A spring night’s Dream, alone, is Your pillowing arm; Pointlessly to get A name, would be regrettable, indeed! |
Suō Naishi