< Page:Insect Literature by Lafcadio Hearn.djvu
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— 22 —

Mutsumashi ya!—
Umare-kawaraba
Nobe no chō.

[If (in out next existence) we be born into the state of butterflies upon the moor, then perchance we may be happy together!]


Nadeshiko ni
Chōchō shiroshi—
Tare no tama?

[On the pink-flower there is a white butterfly: whose spirit, I wonder?]


Ichi-nichi no
Tsuma to miekeri—
Chō futatsu.

[The one-day wife has at last appeared—a pair of butterflies!]


Kite wa mau
Futari shidzuka no
Kochō kana!

[Approaching they dance; but when the two meet at last they are very quiet, the butterflies!]


Chō wo ou
Kokoro-mochitashi
Itsumademo!

[Would that I might always have the heart (desire) of chasing butterflies!]

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