49. The Minister Yoshi-nobu, of Priestly Rank: Ōnakatomi no Yoshi-nobu Ason
49
THE MINISTER YOSHI-NOBU, OF PRIESTLY RANK
ŌNAKATOMI NO YOSHI-NOBU ASON
Mikaki mori
Eji no taku hi no
Yo wa moete
Hiru wa kie-tsutsu
Mono wo koso omoe.
Eji no taku hi no
Yo wa moete
Hiru wa kie-tsutsu
Mono wo koso omoe.
MY constancy to her I love
I never will forsake;
As surely as the Palace Guards
Each night their watch-fire make
And guard it till daybreak.
The author was the son of the Minister Yorimoto, and he lived during the latter part of the tenth century. The illustration shows the watchman outside the Palace tending his fire.