Page:A History of Japanese Literature (Aston).djvu/225

Old Man. And the spring air——

Tomonari. Is genial, while——

(Here the chorus strikes in with a canticle which is chanted as the indispensable accompaniment of every regular Japanese wedding, and is one of the best known passages in Japanese literature. Figures representing the two old folks under the fir-tree with brooms in their hands are, on such occasions, set out on a sort of tray. This is a favourite subject of the Japanese artist.)

Chorus.

On the four seas Still are the waves; The world is at peace: Soft blow the time-winds,[1] Rustling not the branches. In such an age Blest are the very firs, In that they meet To grow old together. Vain indeed Are reverent upward looks; Vain even are words to tell Our thanks that we were born In such an age, Rich with the bounty Of our sovereign lord.

····

Old Man. I hear the sound of the bell of Onoye, in Takasago.

Chorus.

The dawn is near, And the hoar-frost falls On the fir-tree twigs; But its leaves' dark green Suffer no change. Morning and evening Beneath its shade

1. The land and sea breezes, which blow regularly only in fine weather.