He could fling a bird aloft, Splash a dragon in the sea, Crown a princess in her bower, With one stroke of magic power; And she watched him hour by hour, In the school of Tenko.
Yoichi Tenko, wondering, scanned All the work of that young hand, Gazed his kakemonos o'er Under the silvery willow-tree In the school of Tenko: I can teach you nothing more, Thought, or craft, or mystery; Let your golden wings expand, They will shadow half the land, All the world's at your command, Come no more to Tenko.
Lying on the golden sand, Kimi watched his wings expand: Wept.--He could not understand Why she wept, said Tenko.
III
So, in her blue kimono, Pale as the sickle moon Glimmered thro soft plum-branches Blue in the dusk of June, Stole she, willing and waning, Frightened and unafraid,-- Take me with you, Sawara, Over the sea , she said.
Small and sadly beseeching, Under the willow-tree, Glimmered her face like a foam-flake Drifting over the sea: Pale as a drifting blossom, Lifted her face to his eyes: Slowly he gathered and held her Under the drifting skies.
Poor little face cast backward Better to see his own, Earth and heaven went past them Drifting: they too, alone Stood, immortal. He whispered-- Nothing can part us two! Backward her sad little face went Drifting, and dreamed it true.