{"collection":"shi","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/shi/msj/msj12.htm","path":"shi/msj/msj12.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/shi/msj/msj12.htm","text":"The Master-Singers of Japan, by Clara A. Walsh, [1914]\nFrom Prose Version of Buddhist Wasau by Lafcadio Hearn\nIn the pale grey Land of Meido,\n At the foot of Shid\u00e9 mountain,\n From the River of Souls\u2019 dry bed\n \u00a0\u00a0Rises the murmur of voices,\n \u00a0\u00a0The prattle of baby-voices,\n \u00a0\u00a0The accents of early childhood.\nNot of this world is their sorrow,\n Not as the crying of children\n Heard on this earth, but how mournful!\n \u00a0\u00a0Plaint of their pitiful longing,\n Yearning for home and for parents.\n \"Father I so longed for\u2014O Father!\n Mother belov\u00e9d, O Mother!\n \u00a0\u00a0Wail from the River of Souls.\nSad is the task they endeavour,\n Gathering stones from the river,\n \u00a0\u00a0Heaps for the Towers of Prayer.\nBuilding the first Tower, and praying\n The Gods to shower blessings on Father;\n Piling the second, imploring\n The Gods to shower blessings on Mother;\n Heaping the third Tower, and pleading\n For Brother and Sister, and dear ones.\nSuch day by day their employment.\n Piteous, piercing the marrow\n The tale of their sorrowful task.\nBut when the sunset approaches\n Then appear demons, demanding\n \"What is this work you are doing?\n Think you your parents still living\n Care for your service or offering?\n Hopeless they weep and bewail you,\n Mourn for you, morning till evening.\nThus all the sorrows you suffer\n Come from the grief of your parents\n Resenting the will of the gods!\n So blame not us, but your parents?\"\nThen the fierce demons demolish\n The fruits of the little ones\u2019 labour.\n Hurling the stones with their bludgeons,\n Deaf to the wailing and tears.\nSwift to the sorrowing children,\n Jiz\u014d comes softly, \"the Teacher,\"\n \"Shining King\"\u2014beaming in pity,\n Gently he comes to console them.\n\"Be not afraid, little dear ones,\n You were so little to come here,\n All the long journey to Meido!\nI will be Father and Mother,\n Father and Mother and Playmate\n To all little children in Meido!\"\nThen he caresses them kindly,\n Folding his shining robes round them,\n Lifting the smallest and frailest\n Into his bosom, and holding\n His staff for the stumblers to clutch.\nTo his long sleeves cling the infants,\n Smile, in response to his smiling,\n Glad in his beauteous compassion.\nJiz\u014d the Diamond of Pity!\n Jiz\u014d the little ones\u2019 God!\nThrough the wild cherry-blooms that snow\n Yamato's hills with petals fair,\n The shining morning sun-rays glow:\n Will you not come and see them there?\nOutside my dwelling crickets sing,\n Deep in the grass. And on the lea\n The clover-bush is blossoming\n In full perfection.\u2014Come and see!\nStanding, her beauty holds,\n The peony's white loveliness;\n Seated, her robe enfolds\n Charms that surpass in graciousness\n The Botan\u00a0* in its pride;\n And when she walks in silk array,\n Abashed the fragile poppies sway\n In slender grace outvied.\nBy Ikuju\nPine -branch at the door\n On the road to the unknown\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A milestone marking,\n To some a way of gladness,\n To some a path of sorrow.\nThe current of the stream unceasing flows,\n But ever-changing are its waters cool.\n The foam that, lingering, floats upon the pool\n Now vanishes, now swiftly forms again,\n And snow-like drifting on the surface shows.\n69:* Tree Peony.","title":"The Master-Singers of Japan: IX.","type":"page"}