JAPAN
Benkei. His lordship's followers!
Pilgrims. Ise no Samuro, Suruga no Jiro, Kataoka, Masuwo, Hitachibô.
Benkei. Benkei, the pilgrim pioneer.[1]
| Pilgrims. | We twelve our lord leads. Robed in unwonted Vestment of travel; Pilgrim-bells dangling. Facing the far north, Through dew and hoar-frost Fare we, if haply There, mid the white snows. Some ray of spring's sun We may find shining. |
| Chorus. | The second month's midnights Are counted by ten when They wend from Myako. Coming or going. Each alike parting. Witting or ignorant. Equally reaching[2] The hills of Osaka, Shrouded in spring's haze. Fairest at farewell. To Kaizu-no-ura Their wave-way the boats wend. Softly the dawning day Glints on the newly greened Reeds of Arachi. Now Kehi's sacred pines, Ringing the red fane On Konome's summit. Rise from the lake's breast. And yet more distant, |
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