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MANYŌSHIU
43
the Japanese poet, and its choice is probably due to Chinese influence.
"Ah! how true was that saying
Of the great sage
Of the times of old,
Who gave to saké
The name of 'Sage.' "
Of the great sage
Of the times of old,
Who gave to saké
The name of 'Sage.' "
"It was saké
That was the thing most loved,
Even by the seven wise men
Of the days of old."
That was the thing most loved,
Even by the seven wise men
Of the days of old."
"Better than talk
That would be wise,
Were it even to drink saké
Until you weep tears
Of drunkenness."
That would be wise,
Were it even to drink saké
Until you weep tears
Of drunkenness."
"More than I can say,
More than I can do to show it,
An exceeding noble thing
Is saké."
More than I can do to show it,
An exceeding noble thing
Is saké."
"If it turned out
That I were aught else but man,
I would be
A saké-jar,
For then I should get soaked."
That I were aught else but man,
I would be
A saké-jar,
For then I should get soaked."
"Hateful in my eyes
Is the sententious prig
Who will not drink saké.
When I look on such a one
I find him to resemble an ape."[1]
Is the sententious prig
Who will not drink saké.
When I look on such a one
I find him to resemble an ape."[1]
"Talk of priceless treasures!
Can they be more precious
Than a single cup
Of thick saké?"
Can they be more precious
Than a single cup
Of thick saké?"
- ↑ The official edition of the Manyōshiu has bestowed eight pages of commentary on this last stanza.
