Face I have watched so long for, Hands I have longed to hold, Sawara, Sawara, Sawara, Why is your heart so cold?
Surely, he thought, I have painted Nothing so fair as this Moonlit almond blossom Sweet to fold and kiss.... Kimi, he said, I am wedded! Hush, for it could not be! Kiss me one kiss, she whispered, Me also, even me.
Small and terribly drifting Backward, her sad white face Lifted up to Sawara Once, in that lonely place, White as a drifting blossom Under his wondering eyes, Slowly he gathered and held her Under the drifting skies.
Others are happy, she whispered, Maidens and men I have seen: Be happy, be happy, Sawara! The other--shall be--your queen! Kiss me one kiss for parting : Trembling she lifted her head, Then like a broken blossom It fell on his arm. She was dead.
VIII
Much impressed, Sawara straight (Though the hour was growing late) Made a sketch of Kimi lying By the lonely, sighing sea, Brought it back to Tenko. Tenko looked it over crying (Under the silvery willow-tree). You have burst the golden gate! You have conquered Time and Fate! Hokusai is not so great! This is art, said Tenko!