And another said, “She moves like the mist of the morning when the bright sun shines.”
And the third said, “She is like the shadow in the river of the waving willow-branch.”
But it is time to tell of her three lovers.
The first lover was neither old nor young. He was passing rich, and a great man in Yedo. He sent his servant to the street of the geisha with money in his girdle. Sakura-ko shut the door in his face.
“You are wrong, fellow,” she said, “you have lost your way. You should have gone to the street of the toy-shops and bought your master a doll; let him know there are no dolls here.”
After this the master came himself. “Come to me, O Flower of the Cherry,” he said, “for I must have you.”
“Must?” she said, and looked down with her long eyes.
“Aye,” he said, “must is the word, O Flower of the Cherry.”
“What will you give me?” she said.
“Fine attires, silk and brocade, a house, white mats and cool galleries; servants to wait on you, gold hairpins—what you will.”