Genji Monogatari - The Tale of Genji: Hahaki-Gi (The Broom-Like Tree) Part 1

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section two of Genji Monogatari by Murasaki Shikibu, presented by
dream or deer burks Hahkigi The broom Like Tree, Part one,
hikal Genji. The name is singularly well known and is
the subject of innumerable remarks and censures. Indeed, he had

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many intrigues in his lifetime, and most of them are
vividly preserved in our memories. He had always striven to
keep all these intrigues in the utmost secrecy, and had
to appear constantly virtuous. This caution was observed to such
an extent that he scarcely accomplished anything really romantic, a
fact which Katano no Shiyoshio would have ridiculed. Even with

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such jealous watchfulness, secrets easily transpire from one to another,
so loquacious is man. Moreover, he had, unfortunately from nature,
a disposition of not appreciating anything within his ease reach,
but of directing his thought in undesirable quarters, hence sundry
improprieties to his career. Now it was the season of

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continuous reign, namely the month of May, and the court
was keeping a strict Monoimi Genji, who had now been
made Chiujio, and who was still continuing his residence in
the Imperial Palace, was also confined to his apartments for
a considerable length of time. His father in law naturally
felt for him, and his sons were sent to bear

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him company. Among these, Kuran chi Yoshio, who was now
elevated to the post of Tono Chiujio, proved to be
the most intimate and interesting companion. He was married to
the fourth daughter of the Udaijin, but being a man
of lively disposition, he too, like Genji, did not offer

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resort to the mansion of his bride. When Genji went
to the Sadaijins, he was always his favorite associate. They
were together in their studies and in their sports, and
accompanied each other everywhere, and so all stiffness and formality
was dispensed with, and they did not scruple to reveal
their secrets to each other. It was on an evening

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in the above mentioned season rain was falling drearily. The
inhabitants of the palace had almost all retired, and the
apartment of Genji was more than usually still. He was
engaged in reading near a lamp, but at length mechanically
put his book aside, and began to take out some
letters and writings from a bureau which stood on one

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side of the room. Tourn No Tiujo happened to be present,
and Genji soon gathered from his countenance that he was
anxious to look over them. Yes, said Genji, some you
may see, but there may be others. Those others, retorted
tourn No Tchiujio, are precisely those which I wished to see,

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ordinary ones, even your humble servant may have received. I
only longed to look upon those which may have been
written by fair hands when the tender writer had something
to complain of, or where in twilight hour she was
outpouring all her yearning. Being so pressed, Genji allowed his
brother in law to see them all. It is, however,

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highly probable that any very sacred letters would not have
been loosely deposited in an ordinary bureau, and these would
therefore seem, after all, to have been of secondarate importance.
What a variety, said ton No tiu Jo, as he
turned them over, and he asked several questions, guessingly about
this or that. About some, he guessed correctly about others.

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He was puzzled and suspicious Genji smiled and spoke little,
only making some obscure remark and continuing as he took
the letters. But you surely must have collected many, will
not You show me some, and then my bureau also
may open more easily. You do not suppose that I
have anything worth reading, do you, replied Tono Tugio. I

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have only just now discovered, continued he How difficult it
is to meet with a fair creature of whom one
can say this is indeed me one here is at
last perfection. There are indeed many who fascinate, many who
are ready with their pens, and who, when occasion may require,
are quick at repartee. But how often such girls as

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these are conceited about their own accomplishments, and endeavor unduly
to disparage those of others. There are again, some who
are special pets of their parents, and most jealously watched
over at home. Often, no doubt, they are pretty often graceful,
and frequently they will apply themselves with effect to music
and to poetry, in which they may even attain to

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special excellence. But then their friends will keep their drawbacks
in the dark and eulogize their merits to the utmost,
if we were to give full credence to this exaggerated praise,
we would not but fail in every single instance to
be more or less disappointed, So saying ton Jiujio paused

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and appeared as if he were ashamed of having such
an experience, when Genji smilingly remarked, can any one of them, however,
exist without at least one good point? Nay, were there
any so little favored as that no one would ever
be misled at all? Replied ton no Jiujio, and he continued,

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in my opinion, the most and the least favored are
in the same proportion. I mean, they are both not many.
Their birth also divides them into three classes. Those, however,
who are especially well born, are often too jealously guarded,
and are for the most part kept secluding from the
outside gaze, which frequently tends to make their deportment shy

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and timid. It is those of the middle class, who
are much more frequently seen by us, who have ord
us most chance of studying their character. As for the
lower class, it would be almost useless to trouble ourselves
with them. Thus to no Jiujo appeared to be thoroughly
at home in his description of the merits of the
fair sex, which made Genji amused, and he said, but

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how do you define the classes you have referred to
and classify them into three? Those who are of high
birth sink sometimes in the social scale, until the distinction
of their rank is forgotten in the abjectness of their
present position. Others, again of low origin, rise to a
high position, and with self important faces and in ostentatious residences,

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regard themselves as inferior to none. Into What class will
you allot these? Just at this moment the samon no
Kami and to shikib no Jio joined the party. They
came to pay their respects to gain, and both of
them were gay and light hearted talkers. So ton no

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Jiujiu now made over the discussion to them, and it
was carriage to rather questionable lengths. However exalted, a lady's
position may be, said sammar no Kami, if her origin
is an unn enviable one, the estimation of the public
for her would be widely different from that which it
shows to those who are naturally entitled to it. If again,

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adverse fortune assails one whose birth is high, so that
she becomes friendless and helpless degradation here will meet our eyes,
though her heart may still remain as noble as ever.
Examples of both of these are very common. After much reflection,
I can only come to the conclusion that both of
them should be included in the middle class. In this class, too,

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must be included many daughters of the jurio who occupy
themselves with local administration. These ladies are often very attractive
and are not seldom introduced at court, and enjoy high
favor and success depend pretty much upon the state of
one's fortune. I fancy interrupted Genji with a placid smile.

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That is a remark very unlikely to fall from the
lips of a champion of romance chimed to no Tiugio.
There may be some resumed sama no kami who are
of high birth, add to whom public respect is duly paid,
yet whose domestic education has been much neglected. Of a
lady such as this, we may simply remark, why and

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how is it that she is so brought up? And
she would only cause discredit to her class. There are,
of course, some who combine in themselves every perfection befitting
their position. These best of the best are, however, not
within every one's reach. But listen within an old, dilapidated gateway,
almost unknown to the world, and overgrown with wild vegetation,

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perchance we might find shut up and may charming beyond imagination.
Her father might be an aged man, corpulent in person
and stern in mean, and her brothers of repulsive countenance.
But there in an uninviting room she lives, full of
delicacy and sentiment, and fairly skilled in the arts of
poetry or music, which she may have acquired by her

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own exertions alone, unaided, if there were such a pace,
surely she deserves our attention, save that of those of
us who themselves are highly exalted in position. So saying
samar no Kami winked slightly at Shikib no Gio, the
latter was silent. Perhaps he fancied that Sama no Kami

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was speaking in the above strain with a hidden reference
to his Shakib's sisters, who he imagined answered the description. Meantime,
Genji may have thought, if it is so difficult to
choose one, even from the best class, how can ah
And he began to close his eyes and doze. His

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dress was of soft white silk, partly covered with the
naoshi worn carelessly, with its cord left loose and untied.
His appearance and bearing formed quite a picture. Meanwhile, the
conversation went on about different persons and characters, and Samo
nu Kami proceeded. It is unquestionable that though at first

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glance many women appeared to be without defects, yet when
we come to the actual selection of any one of them,
we should seriously hesitate in our choice. Let me illustrate
my meaning by reference to the numerous public men who
may be aspiring to fulfill the duties of several important posts.
You will at once recognize the great difficulty there will

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be in fixing upon the individual statesman under whose guardianship
the empire could best repose, and supposing that if at last,
by good fortune, the most able man were designated, even
then we must bear in mind that it is not
in the power of one or two indiadividuals, however gifted
they may be, to carry on the whole administration of

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the kingdom alone. Public business can only be tranquility conducted
when the superior receives the assistance of subordinates, and when
the subordinate yields are becoming respect and loyalty to his
superior and affairs are thus conducted in a spirit of
mutual conciliation. So too it is in the narrow range
of the domestic circle. To make a good mistress of

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that circle one must possess if our ideal is to
be fully realized many important qualifications. Were we to be
constantly indulging in the severity of criticism, always objecting to
this or that, a perfect character would be almost unattainable.
Men should therefore bear with patience any trifling dissatisfaction which

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they may feel, and strive constantly to keep alive toward
ment and to cherish the warmth of their early love.
Only such man as this can be called faithful, and
the partner of such a man alone can enjoy the
real happiness of affection. How unsatisfactory to us, however, seems
the actual world, if we look round upon it, still

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more difficult must it be to satisfy such as you
who seek your companions. But from among the best, how
varied are the characters and the dispositions of women. Some
who are youthful and favored by nature strive almost selfishly
to keep themselves with the utmost reserve. If they write,
They write harmlessly and innocently, Yet at the same time

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they are choice in their expressions, which have delicate touches
of bewitching sentiment. This might possibly make us entertain a
suddenly conceived fancy for them. Yet they would give us
but slight encouragement. They may allow us just to hear
their voices, but when we approach them, they will speak
with subdued breath and almost inaudibly. Beware, however, lest among

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these you chance to encounter some astute artiste, who, under
a surface that is smooth, conceals a current that is deep.
This sort of lady, it is true, generally appears quite modest,
but often proves when we come closer, to be of
a very different temperament from what we anticipated. Here is
one drawback to be guarded against. Among characters differing from

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the above, some are too full of sentimental sweetness. Whenever
occasion offers them romance, they becomes spoilt. Such would be
decidedly better if they had less sentiment and more sense. Others, again,
are singularly earnest, too earnest indeed in the performance of
their domestic duty, and such with their hair pushed back

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devote themselves like household drudges to household affairs. Man whose
duties generally call him from home all the day, naturally
hears and sees the social movements both a public and
private life, and notices different things, both good and bad.
Of such things, he would not like to talk freely
with strangers, but only with some one closely allied to him. Indeed,

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a man may have many things in his mind which
cause him to smile or to grieve. Occasionally, something of
a political nature may irritate him beyond endurance. These matters
he would like to talk over with his fair companion,
that she might soothe him and sympathize with him. But
a woman, as above described, is often unable to understand him,

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or does not endeavor to do so, and this only
makes him more miserable. At another time, he may brood
over his hopes and aspirations, but he has no hope
of solace. She is not only incapable of sharing these
with him, but might carelessly remark what ails you? How
severely would this try the temper of a man? If

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then we clearly see all these, the only suggestion I
can make is that the best thing to do is
to choose one who is gentle and modest, and strive
to guide and educate her according to the best ideal
we may think of. This is the best plan, and
why should we not do so. Our efforts would not
be surely all in vain. But know, a girl whom

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we thus educate, and who proves to be competent to
bear us company, often disappoints us. When she is left alone.
She may then show her incapability, and her occasional actions
may be done in such an unbecoming manner that both
good and bad are equally displeasing. Are not all these
against us men? Remember, however, that there are some who

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may not be very agreeable at ordinary times, yet who
flash occasionally upon us with a potent and almost irresistible charm.
Thus some are no kami, though eloquent, not having come
to one point or another, remain thoughtful for some minutes,
and again resumed after all. As I have once observed,
I can only make this suggestion that we should not

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too much consider either birth or beauty, but select one
who is gentle and tranquil, and consider her to be
the best suited for our last haven of rest. If,
in addition, she is of fair position, and is blessed
with sweetness of temper. We should be delighted with her,
and not trouble ourselves to search out or notice any
trifling deficiency. And the more so as if her conscience

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is clear and pure, calmness and serenity of features can
naturally be looked for. There are women who are too
diffident and too reserved, and carry their generosity to such
an extent as to pretend not to be aware even
of such annoyances as afford them just grounds of complaint.
A time arrives when their sorrows and anxieties become greater

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than they can bear. Even then, however, they cannot resort
to plain speaking and complain. But instead, thereof they will
fly away to some remote retreat among the mountain hamlets,
or to some secluded spot by the sea side, leaving
behind them some painful letter or despairing verses, and making
themselves mere sad memories of the past offer. When a boy,

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I heard such stories read by ladies, and the sad
pathos of them even caused my tears to flow. But
now I can only declare such deeds to be acts
of mere folly. For what does It all amount to
simply to this, that the woman, in spite of the
pain which it causes her, and discarding a heart which

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may be still lingering towards her, takes to flight, regardless
of the feelings of others, of the anguish and of
the anxiety which those who are dearest to her suffer
with her. Nay, this act of folly may even be
committed simply to test the sincerity of her lover's affection
for her. What pitiable subtlety Worse than this, The woman,

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thus led astray, perhaps by ill advice, may even be
beguiled into more serious errors. In the depth of her
despairing melancholy, she will become a numb. Her conscience when
she takes the fatal vow may be pure and unsullied,
and nothing may seem to call her back again to
the world, the world which chief or silk. But as
time rolls on, some household servant or aged nurse brings

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her tidings of the lover who has been unable to
cast her out of his heart, and whose tears drop
silently when he hears aught about her. Then, when she
hears of his affections still living, and his heart still
yearning and thinks of the uselessness of the sacrifice she
has made. Voluntarily, she touches the hair on her forehead,
and she becomes regretful. She may indeed do her best

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to persevere in her resolve, but if one single tear
bedus her cheek, she is no longer strong in the
sanctity of her vow. Weakness of this kind will be,
in the eyes of Buddha, more sinful than those offenses
which are committed by those who never leave the lay
circle at all, and she would eventually wander about in
the wrong passage. But there are also women who are

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too self confident and obtrusive. These, if they discover some
slight inconsistency in men, fiercely betray their indignation and behave
with arrogance. A man may show a little inconsistency occasionally,
but Yetty's affection will remain. Then matters will in time
become right again, and they will pass their lives happily together.

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If therefore the woman cannot show a tolerable amount of patience,
this will but add to her unhappiness. She should, above
all things, strive not to give way to excitement, and
when she experiences any unpleasantness, she should speak of it frankly,
but with moderation. And if there should be anything worse
than unpleasantness, she should even then complain of it in

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such a way as not to irritate the man. If
she guides her conduct on principles such as these, even
her very words, her very demeanor, may in all probability
increase his sympathy and consideration for her. One's self denial
and the restraint which one imposes upon one's self often
depend on the way in which another behaves to us.

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The woman who is too indifferent and too forgiving is
also inconsiderate. Remember the unmoored boat floats about, Is it
not so? Ton No Chiujio quickly nodded assent, as he said,
Quite true, a woman who has no strength of emotion,
no passion of sorrow or of joy, can never be
holders of us. Nay, even jealousy, if not carried to

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the extent of undue suspicion, is not undesirable. If we
ourselves are not in fault, and leave the matter alone,
Such jealousy may easily be kept within due bounds. But stop,
added he suddenly, some women have to bear and do
bear every grief that they may encounter with unmurmuring and
suffering patience, So said ton No Chiujio, who implied by

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this illusion that his sister was a woman so circumstanced.
But Genji was still dozing, and no remark came from
his lips. Samn No Kami had been recently made a
doctor of literature, and like a bird, was inflating his feathers.
So Tono Tujio, willing to draw him out as much
as possible, gave him every encouragement to proceed with his

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discourse again. Therefore, he took up the conversation and said, court,
to your mind affairs in general, and judge of them.
Is it not always true that reality and sincerity are
to be preferred to merely artificial excellence. Artisans, for instance,
make different sorts of articles as their talents serve them.

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Some of them are keen and expert, and cleverly manufacture
objects of temporary fashion, which have no fixed or traditional style,
and which are only intended to strike the momentary fancy. These, however,
are not the true artisans. The real excellence of the
true artisan is tested by those who make without defects
or sensational peculiarities articles to decorate, we will say, some

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particular building in conformity, with correct taste and high esthetic principles.
Look for another instance, at the eminence which has been
attained by several of the artists of the Imperial College
of Painting. Take the case of draftsmen in black ink.
Pictures indeed, such as those of Mount Horai, which has
never been beheld by mortal eye, or of some raging

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monstrous fish in a rough sea, or of a wild
animal of some far off country, or of the imaginary
face of the demon, are often drawn in such striking
vividness that people are startled at the sight of them.
These pictures, however, are neither real nor true. On the
other hand, ordinary scenery of familiar mountains, of calm streams

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of water, and of dwellings just before our eyes may
be sketched with an irregularity so charming and with such
excellent skill as almost to rival nature. In pictures such
as these, the perspective of gentle mountain slopes and sequestered
nooks surrounded by leafy trees are drawn with such admirable

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fidelity to nature that they can carry the spectator in
imagination to something beyond them, these other pictures, in which
is mostly evinced the spirit and effectiveness of the superior
hand of a master, and in these an inferior artist
would only show dumbness and inefficiency. Similar observations are applicable
to handwriting. Some people broadly dash away with great freedom

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and endless flourishes, and appear at the first glance to
be elegant and skillful. But that which is written with
scrupulous neatness, in accordance with the true rules of penmanship,
constitutes a very different handwriting from the above. If perchance
the upstrokes and downstrokes do not, at first sight appear
to be fully formed, yet when we take it up

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and critically compare it with writing in which dashes and
flourishes predominate, we shall at once see how much more
of real and sterling merit it possesses. Such, then is
the nature of the case in painting, in penmanship, and
in the arts generally. And how much more then are
those women undeserving of our admiration, who, though they are

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rich in outward and in fashionable display attempting to dazzle
our eyes, are yet lacking in the solid foundations of reality, fidelity,
and truth. Do not, my friends consider me going too far,
But let me proceed to illustrate these observations by my
own experience, So saying Sama no Kami advanced his seat

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and gnji awoke ton tchiu Jio was quite interested in
the conversation and was keeping his eye upon the speaker,
leaning his cheek upon his hand. This long discourse of
Sama no Kami reminds us of the preacher's sermon and
amuses us. And it seems that on occasions like these,
one may easily be carried away by circumstances until he

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is willing to communicate even his own private affairs. It
was at a time, continued Sama no Kami, when I
was in a still more humble position, that there was
a girl to whom I had taken a fancy. She was,
like one of those whom I described in the process
of my discourse, not a regular beauty. Although for this
reason my youthful vanity did not allow me to pledge

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myself to her forever, I still considered her a pleasant companion. Nevertheless,
from occasional fits of restlessness, I roamed often here and there.
This she always resented fiercely and with so much indignation
that I sighed for a sweeter temper and more moderation. Indeed,
there were times when her suspicion and spitefulness were more

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than I could endure, but my irritation was generally calmed down,
and I even felt sorry myself when I reflected how
strong and devoted her affection for me was in spite
of the mean state of my circumstances. As to her
general character, her only endeavor seemed to be to do
everything for my sake, even what was beyond her powers,

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while she struggled to perfect herself in anything in which
she might be deficient, and took the most faithful care
of all my interests, striving constantly and earnestly to please me.
She appeared at first even too zealous, but in time
became more moderate. She seemed as if she felt uneasy
lest her plain face should caused me displeasure, and she

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even denied herself the sight of other people in order
to avoid unbecoming comment. As time went by, the more
I became accustomed to observe how really simple hearted she was,
the more I sympathized with her. The one thing that
I could not bear. However, was that jealousy of hers?
Sincere and devoted as she is? Thought I, is there

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no means of ridding her of this jealous weakness? Could
I but do that? It would not matter even if
I were to alarm her a little. And I also
thought that, since she was so devoted to me, if
I showed any symptoms of getting tired of her, she
would in all probability be warned by it. Therefore I
purposely behaved to her with great coolness and heartlessness. This

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she resented as usual. I then said to her that
though our affection had been of old date, I should
not see her again. If you wish to suffer from me,
you may suspect me as much as you like. If
you prefer to enjoy long happiness with me in future,
be modest and patient in trifling matters. If you can
only be so, how can I do otherwise than love you?

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My position also may in time be improved, and then
we may enjoy greater happiness. In saying this, I thought
I had managed matters very ingeniously without meaning it. However,
I had in fact spoken a little too harshly. She
replied with a bitter smile. That to put up with
a life of undistinguished condition, even though with faint hopes

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of future promotion, was not a thing about which we
ought to trouble ourselves, but that it was indeed a
hard task to pass long wearisome days in waiting until
a man's mind should be restored to a sense of propriety,
and that for this reason we had perhaps better separate
at once. This she said with such sarcastic bitterness, that

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I was irritated and stung to the quick, and overwhelmed
her with a fresh torrent of reproaches. At this juncture
she gave way to an uncontrollable fit of passion, and
snatching up my hand, she thrust my little finger into
her mouth and bit off the end of it. Then,
notwithstanding my pain, I became quite cool and collected, and
calmly said, insulted and maimed as I have now been,

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it is most fitting that I should absent myself for
the future from polite society, office and title would ill
become me. Now. Your spite has now left me without
spirit to face the world in which I should be ridiculed,
and has left me no alternative but to withdraw my
maimed person from the public gaze. After I had alarmed

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her by speaking in this exalted strain, I added, to
day we meet for the last time, and bending these
fingers pointing to them as he spoke, I made the
farewell remark. When on my fingers, I must say, I
count the hours I spent with thee, and this alone,
I pray, the only pang you've caused to me, you

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are now quits with me. At the instant I said so,
she burst into tears, and without premeditation, poured forth the
following from me, who long bore grievous harms from that
cold hand and wandering heart. You now withdraw your sheltering arms,
and coolly tell me we must part to speak the truth.

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I had no real intention of separating from her altogether.
For some time, however, I said her no communication, and
was passing rather an unsettled life. Well. I was once
returning from the palace late one evening in November after
an experimental practice of music for a special festival in
the Temple of Cameo. Sleet was falling heavily, the wind

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blew cold, and my road was dark and muddy. There
was no house near where I could make myself at
t home to return and spend a lonely night in
the palace was not to be thought of. At this moment.
A reflection flashed across my mind. How cold must she feel,
whom I have treated so coldly? Thought I, and suddenly

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became very anxious to know what she felt and what
she was about. This made me turn my steps towards
her dwelling, and brushing away the snow that had gathered
on my shoulders. I trudged on, at one moment, shyly
biting my nails, at another, thinking that on such a
night at least all her enmity towards me might be
all melted away. I approached the house. The curtains were

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not drawn, and I saw the dim light of a
lamp reflected on the windows. It was even perceivable that
a soft quilt was being warmed and thrown over the
large couch. The scene was such as to give you
the notion that she was really anticipating that I might
come at least on such an evening. This gave me encouragement,
But alas she whom I hoped to see, was not

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at home, I was told she had gone to her
parents that very evening. Previous to that time, she had
sent me no sad verses, no conciliatory letter, and this
had already given birth to unpleasant feelings on my part.
And at this moment, when I was told that she
had gone away, all these things seemed to have been
done almost purposely, and I involuntarily began to suspect that

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her very jealousy had only been assumed by her on
purpose to cause me to become tired of her. As
I reflected what our future might be after such an
estrangement as this, I was truly depressed. I did not, however,
give up all hope, thinking that she would not be
so determined as to abandon me forever. I had even

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carefully selected some stuff for a dress for her. Some time, however,
passed away without anything particularly occurring. She neither accepted nor
refused the offers of reconciliation which I made to her.
She did not, it is true, hide herself away, like
any of those of whom I have spoken before, But
nevertheless she did not evince the slightest symptom of regret

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for her previous conduct. At last, after a considerable interview,
she intimated to me that her final resolve was not
to forgive me any more if I intended in future
to behave as I had done before, but that on
the other hand, she should be glad to seek me
again if I would thoroughly change my habits and treat
her with the kindness which was her due. From this,

(32:31):
I became more convinced that she still entertained longings for me. Hence,
with the hope of warning her a little more, I
made no expressions of any intention to make a change
in my habits, and I tried to find out which
of us had the most patience. While matters were in
this state, she, to my great surprise, suddenly died, Perhaps

(32:51):
heart broken, I must now frankly confess that she certainly
was a woman in whom a man might place his confidence.
Often too, I had talked with her on music and
on poetry, as well as on the more important business
of life, and I found her to be by no
means wanting in intellect and capability. She had too the

(33:12):
clever hands of Tatita, Haimi and Tanabata. When I recall
these pleasant memories, my heart still clings to her endearingly
clever and weaving. She may have been like Tanabaa, But
is that a small matter interposed to no tu jo.
We should have preferred to have seen your love as
enduring as Tanabata's. Nothing are so beautiful as the brilliant

(33:35):
dyes spread over the face of nature. Yet the red
tints of autumn are often not dyed to a color
so deep as we desire, because of the early drying
of the jew So we say, such is the uncertain
fate of this world. And so, saying he made a
sign to saman no Kami to go on with his story,
he went on accordingly. About that time I knew another lady.

(33:59):
She was, on the whole a superior kind of person,
a fair poetess, a good musician, and a fluent speaker,
with good enunciation and graceful in her movements. All these
admirable qualities I noticed myself and heard them spoken of
by others. As my acquaintance with her commenced. At the
time when I was not on the best terms with

(34:19):
my former companion, I was glad to enjoy her society.
The more I associated with her, the more fascinating she became. Meanwhile,
my first friend died, at which I felt truly sorry. Still,
I could not help it, and I therefore paid frequent
visits to this one. In the course of my attentions
to her, however, I discovered many unpleasant traits. She was

(34:42):
not very modest and did not appear to be one
whom a man could trust. On this account, I became
somewhat disappointed and visited her less often. While matters were
on this footing, I accidentally found out that she had
another lover, to whom she gave a share of her heart.
It happened that one inviting moonlight evening in October, I

(35:03):
was driving out from home on my way to a
certain dynagon. On the road I met with a young
noble who was going in the same direction. We therefore
drove together, and as we were journeying on, he told
me that some one might be waiting for him, and
he was anxious to see her well. By and by
we arrived at the house of my lady Love. The
bright reflection of the waters of an ornamental lake was

(35:26):
seen through crevices in the walls, and the pale moon,
as she shed her full radiance over the shimmering waves,
seemed to be charmed with the beauty of this scene,
it would have been heartless to pass by with indifference,
and we both descended from the carriage without knowing each
other's intention. This youth seems to have been the other one.

(35:46):
He was rather shy. He sat down on a match
of reeds that were spread beside a corridor near the gateway, and,
gazing up at the sky, meditated for some moments in silence.
The chrysanthemums in the gardens were full in bloom, whose
sweet perfume soothed us with its gentle influence. And round
about us the scarlet leaves of the maple were falling

(36:07):
as ever and anon they were shaken by the breeze.
The scene was altogether romantic. Presently, he took a flute
out of his bosom and played. Then he whispered, its
shade is refreshing. In a few minutes, the fair ones
struck up responsively on a sweet toned wagon, a species
of koto. The melody was soft and exquisite, in charming

(36:31):
strains of modern music, and admirably adapted to the lovely evening.
No wonder that he was fascinated. He advanced towards the
casement from which the sounds proceeded, and, glancing at the
leaves scattered on the ground, whispered in invidious tones, Sure
no strange footsteps would ever dare to press these leaves.
He then called a chrysanthemum, humming as he did so,

(36:53):
Even this spot, so fair to view with moon and
Koto's gentle strain, could make no other lover true as me,
thy fond, thy only swaying wretched, he exclaimed, alluding to
his poetry, and then added one tune more, stay not
your hand when one is near who so ardently longs

(37:14):
to hear you. Thus he began to flatter the lady, who,
having heard his whispers, replied thus in a tender, hesitating voice, Sorry,
I am my voice too low to match thy flute's fast,
sweeter sound, which mingles with the winds that blow the
autumn leaves upon the ground. Ah, she little thought, I
was a silent and spectator of all this flirtation. She

(37:37):
then took up a soul, another kind of coto with
thirteen strings, and tuned it to a banjeekie key, a
winter tune, and played on it still more excellently. Though
are in admirer of music, I cannot say that these
bewitching melodies gave me any pleasure under the peculiar circumstances
I stood in. No romantic interludes such as this might

(37:59):
be pleasant enough in the case of maidens, who are
kept strictly in court service, and whom we have very
little opportunity of meeting with. But even there we should
hesitate to make such a one our life companion. How
much less could one ever entertain such an idea in
a case like my own, making therefore that Evening's experience

(38:19):
a ground of dissatisfaction I never saw her more. Now, gentlemen,
let us take into consideration these two instances which have
occurred to myself, and see how equally unsatisfactory they are,
the one too jealous, the other two forward. Thus, early
in life I found out how little reliance was to
be placed on such characters, And now I think so

(38:42):
still more. And this opinion applies more especially to the
latter of the two. Dewdrops are the haggy flower of beauty,
so delicate that they disappear as soon as we touch them.
Hailstones on the bamboo grass that melt in our hand
as soon as we prick them, appear at a distance
extremely tempting and attractive. Take my humble advice, however, and

(39:05):
go not near them. If you do not appreciate this advice, Now,
the lapse of another seven years will render you well
able to understand that such adventures will only bring a
tarnished fame. Thus, samn no Kalmi admonished them, and to
no Chiujo nodded. As usual, Genji slightly smiled. Perhaps he
thought it was all very true, and he said, your

(39:28):
twofold experience was indeed disastrous and irritating. Now said to
no Chiojo, I will tell you a story concerning myself.
End of Section two