Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/292

288 :::Flute-playing even of reapers and songs of wood-fellers
 * Through poets’ verses are known to all the world.
 * Wonder not to hear among us
 * The sound of a bamboo flute.

You are right. Indeed it is as you have told me.
 * Songs of woodmen and flute-playing of herdsmen…

Flute-playing of reapers… Songs of wood-fellers… Guide us on our passage through this sad world. Song… And dance… And the flute… And music of many instruments… These are the pastimes that each chooses to his taste.
 * Of floating bamboo wood
 * Many are the famous flutes that have been made;
 * Gittle Branch and Cicada Cage,
 * And as for the reaper’s flute,
 * Its name is Green Leaf;
 * On the shore of Sumiyoshi
 * The Korean flute they play.
 * And here on the shore of Suma
 * On Stick of the Salt-kilns
 * The fishers blow their tune.

How strange it is! The other reapers have all gone home, but you alone stay loitering here. How is that?

How is it, you ask? I am seeking for a prayer in the voice of the evening waves. Perhaps you will pray the Ten Prayers for me?

I can easily pray the Ten Prayers for you, if you will tell me who you are.

To tell you the truth—I am one of the family of Lord Atsumori.

One of Atsumori’s family? How glad I am!

Then the priest joined his hands (he kneels down) and prayed: