Left (Tie).
七夕は今日貸す琴は何ならで逢ふにのみこそ心ひくらめ
| tanabata wa kyō kasu koto wa nani narade au ni nomi koso kokoro hikurame |
For the Weaver Maid That this day the zithers play Means nothing; ‘Tis her meeting, alone, That plucks upon her heart. |
317
Right (Tie).
薫物の匂ひも貸しつ七夕に思ふ思を空に知れとて
| takimono no nioi mo kashitsu tanabata ni omou omoi o sora ni shire tote |
Incense Scent I proffer To the Weaver Maid; The burning thoughts within my heart, Let it carry to the heavens! |
318
The Right state that ‘the expression “alone” (nomi) in Left’s poem is grating,’ while the Left have no particular criticisms of the Right.
Shunzei simply remarks, ‘The Left has a zither plucking the heart; the Right, the scent of burning incense carrying thoughts. Equally good word association. A tie.’