Page:Nihongi by Aston.djvu/432

The eldest son made a song, saying:—

My great swordHung at my girdle I will stand;Though I may not draw it,Yet in the last resortI am resolved to be united to her.

Shibi no Omi answered with a song, saying:—

The great Lord'sEight-fold retiring-fenceHe may try to build,Still for want of strict care,^[1]The retiring-fence is not built.

The eldest son made a song, saying:—

The eight-fold fastening fenceOf the Omi's childShould an earthquake come, shaking,Reverberating below,'Twill be a ruined fastening fence.

[A various version of the first line is "eight-fold Kara fence."]

The eldest son gave Kagehime a song, saying:—

If Kagehime, who comes and staysAt the head of the lute,^[2]Were a jewel,She would be a white sea-ear^[3] pearl:—The pearl that I love.

Shibi no Omi answered on behalf of Kagehime, and made song, saying:—

The great Lord's(XVI. 4.) Girdle of Japanese loom

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1. "For want of strict care" is in the original Ama-shimi. This word contains an allusion to the Omi's name Shibi. Mi and bi are often interchanged in Japanese.
2. i.e. on my right hand.
3. The sea-ear is in Japanese ahabi, which may be intended to suggest ahazu, "not to become united to."