松浦なる玉島川に鮎釣ると立たせる子らが家道知らずも
matura naru tamasima ni ayu turu to tataseru kora ga ipedi sirazu mo |
On Matsura’s Jewelled islets Catching sweetfish Stand many maidens: Their route home I do not know… |
Ōtomo no Tabito
松浦なる玉島川に鮎釣ると立たせる子らが家道知らずも
matura naru tamasima ni ayu turu to tataseru kora ga ipedi sirazu mo |
On Matsura’s Jewelled islets Catching sweetfish Stand many maidens: Their route home I do not know… |
Ōtomo no Tabito
Nine poems in reply by the maidens.
はしきやし翁の歌におほほしき九の子らや感けて居らむ
pasikiyasi okina no uta ni opoposiki kokono no kora ya kamakete woramu |
Well, By the old man’s poem While taking our ease Are we nine maids Entranced? |
Envoy
白髪し子らに生ひなばかくのごと若けむ子らに罵らえかねめや
sirokamisi kora ni opinaba kaku no goto wakakemu kora ni norapekaneme ya |
Should white hairs These maidens grow, then In this way Would these young maidens Tease me? |
Envoy
死なばこそ相見ずあらめ生きてあらば白髪子らに生ひざらめやも
sinaba koso apimizu arame ikite araba sirogami kora ni opizarame ya mo |
If I should die With no meeting, all would be done, but If I should live, White hairs, o, maidens, Would you not grow at all… |