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Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

A Hundred Verses from Old Japan · 46 of 101

45. Prince Ken-toku: Ken-toku Kō

45

Prince Ken-toku

Ken-toku Ko

Aware to mo Iu beki hito wa Omohoede Mi no itazura ni Narinu beki kana.

I DARE not hope my lady-love Will smile on me again; She knows no Pity, and my life I care not to retain, Since all my prayers are vain.

The real name of the writer of this verse was Koretada Fujiwara; he died in the year 972, and Prince Ken-toku is his posthumous name.

Aware to mo means, in conjunction with the next line, ‘that she would give me words of pity’; but aware tomo can also mean ‘to meet as a friend.’

In spite of the Prince’s fears, the illustration seems to suggest that his lady-love changed her mind, and came to visit him once more.