Where the waves of evening roll,
And spreading his sail
To the favouring breeze,
Puts out into the deep,
Puts out into the deep.
Tomonari.
From Takasago I set sail
In this skiff that lies by the shore,
And put forth with the tide
That goes out with the moon.
I pass under the lee
Of Awaji's shore,
I leave far behind me Naruwo,
And now I have arrived
At Suminoye.
(The god of Sumiyoshi[1] appears, and enters into a poetical dialogue with the chorus.)
Chorus.
We give thanks for this manifestation;
Ever anew we will worship
Thy spirit with sacred dance
By Sumiyoshi's pure moonlight.
. . . .
Chorus.
And now, world without end,
The extended arms of the dancing maidens
In sacerdotal robes
Will expel noxious influences;
Their hands folded to rest in their bosoms
Will embrace all good fortune;
The hymn of a thousand autumns
Will draw down blessings on the people,
And the song of ten thousand years[2]
Prolong our sovereign's life.
And all the while,
