Sometimes we think it cool,—the resting-place of the sémi;—sometimes we think it hot (it is all a matter of fancy).
Suzushii to
Omoéba, suzushi
Sémi no koë.
—Ginkō.
If we think it is cool, then the voice of the sémi is cool (that is, the fancy changes the feeling).
In view of the many complaints of Japanese poets about the noisiness of sémi, the reader may be surprised to learn that out of sémi-skins there used to be made in both China and Japan—perhaps upon homœopathic principles—a medicine for the cure of ear-ache!
One poem, nevertheless, proves that sémi-music has its admirers:—
Omoshiroi zo ya,
Waga-ko no koë wa
Takai mori-ki no
Sémi no koë![32]
Sweet to the ear is the voice of one's own child as the voice of a sémi perched on a tall forest tree.
[32] ] There is another version of this poem:—
Omoshiroi zo ya,
Waga-ko no naku wa
Sembu-ségaki no
Kyō yori mo!