別れにし手束の弓の白鳥を紀の川ゆすり恋ひぬ日ぞなき
wakarenishi tatsuka no yumi no shiratori o ki no kawa yuzuri koinu hi zo naki |
We did part, and Bow in hand, Like a swan Swaying on the River Ki There’s not a day that I don’t love you… |
Minamoto no Shunrai
源俊頼
So, I composed in reply to her.
言とはぬ木にはありともうるはしき君が手馴れの琴にしあるべし
koto topanu ki ni pa aritomo urupasiki kimi ga tanare no koto ni siarubesi |
No speech Has a tree, yet A glorious Lord’s favourite Zither will you certainly be! |
The zither maid replied, ‘I thank you for your kind words. I am truly and humbly grateful.’ I swiftly awoke and moved by the words of the maiden in my dream, I could not remain silent, so I entrusted this zither to an official bound your way, that he might deliver it to you.
Sent by messenger on the 7th day of the Tenth Month Tenpyō 1 [645], to his Most Glorious Excellency of the Inner Palace Guards.