< Page:Insect Literature by Lafcadio Hearn.djvu
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ever hope for a Natural History with colored plates that will show us how the world appears to the faceted[1] eyes of a dragon-fly?

V

Catching dragon-flies has been for hundreds of years a favorite amusement of Japanese children. It begins with the hot season, and lasts during the greater part of the autumn. There are many old poems about it,—describing the recklessness[2] of the little hunters. To-day, just as in other centuries, the excitement of the chase leads them into all sorts of trouble:[3] they tumble down embankments, and fall into ditches, and scratch and dirty[4] themselves most fearfully,—heedless of thorns or mud-holes or quagmires,[5]—heedless of heat,—heedless[6] even of the dinner-hour:—

⁠Meshi-doki mo
Modori wasurete,
⁠Tombo tsuri!

Even at the hour of the noon-day meal they forget to return home,—the children catching dragon-flies!

註

  1. ↑ facet 複眼の一小眼なり。
  2. ↑ reckless は devoid of caution, regardless of consequences, rash なり。
  3. ↑ vexation; worry; difficulties.
  4. ↑ dirty 言ふまでも無からんが此處では動詞。
  5. ↑ fen, marsh, slough.
  6. ↑ heedless of—not concerning oneself about.
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