Chapter 35: Yanta Part IV

“This is the happy time of all my life. I thank the dear gods,” said Flower of the Cherry one evening.

“My dear,” the young man bade her, “fetch hither your samisen and let me hear you sing.”

So she did. She said, “I shall sing you a song you have heard already.”

“My mother bade me spin fine thread Out of the yellow sea sand— a hard task, a hard task. May the dear gods speed me! My father gave me a basket of reeds; He said, ‘Draw water from the spring And carry it a mile’— A hard task, a hard task. May the dear gods speed me! My heart would remember, my heart must forget; Forget, my heart, forget— a hard task, a hard task. May the dear gods speed me!”

“Sweet,” he said, “what does this song mean, and why do you sing it?”

She ans