Page:Japanese plays and playfellows (1901).djvu/269

Rh day, and shall never forget the happy times we spent together in Rose and Kyōto. However long I write, there is no end to it, so I shall look for a further occasion to tell you my love. In respectful obedience,

The letter contained an enclosure, which it required the intervention of a Japanese friend to interpret. Whether the girl had herself written the six poems which follow, or, as it seems to me more probable, had adapted them with slight alterations from a popular song-book, I cannot say. They form both epilogue and moral to this typical tale.

Could I but meet you! Could I but see you! Waves roll between us; Wishing is vain.

Thinking about you, Watching your likeness; Yet the watched likeness Says not a word.

You, my French master, Living in Paris, I am Awazu's Single lone pine.

In mine ears waking, In mine ears dreaming, Ever one sound is, That of thy voice.