III
THE DIARY OF IZUMI SHIKIBU
A.D. 1002–1003
Many months had passed in lamenting the World,[1] more shadowy than a dream. Already the tenth day of the Deutzia month was over. A deeper shade lay under the trees and the grass on the embankment was greener.[2] These changes, unnoticed by any, seemed beautiful to her, and while musing upon them a man stepped lightly along behind the hedge. She was idly curious, but when he came towards her she recognized the page of the late prince.[3] He came at a sorrowful moment, so she said, "Is your coming not long delayed? To talk over the past was inclined." "Would it not have been presuming?—Forgive me—In mountain temples have been worshipping. To be without ties is sad, so wishing to take service again I went to Prince Sochi-no-miya."
"Excellent! that Prince is very elegant and is known to me. He cannot be as of yore?" [i.e. unmarried.] So she said, and he replied, "No, but he is very gracious. He asked me whether I ever visit you now-
- ↑ In the writings of the ladies of those days World (yononaka) is often used as a synonym of love-affair; i.e. their relations with men.
- ↑ In those days noblemen's houses were surrounded with an embankment, instead of a wall.
- ↑ Prince Tametaka, the third Prince of the Emperor Rezrei who reigned 968–969. The Prince died on June 13, 1002. He had been Izumi Shikibu's lover.
