the flowers of spring are not as lovely as you; the mountain air in solitude not as pure as you
I saw you only once in the Grand House of the Lord of the Lands and we exchanged glances as you sang And though you sang from a printed text for all your eyes gave me songs of longing and love
O where are you now most gentle beloved? I hear your owners move you at the request of the Grand Lords and though I come to so many sessions in which you might sing and hoping each night I might see you again as I carry cups and meat for the feasting Lords and that there as you deliver them the songs in the texts I come that you might look again at me and give me the songs in your eyes
the flowers of spring are not as lovely as you; the mountain air in solitude not as pure as you
companion picture: Flowers of Edo: Young Woman's Narrative Chanting to the Samisen, Woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro