Poems

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[An ancient pond!]

1644 –

1694

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

An ancient pond!
With a sound from the water
Of the frog as it plunges in.

From A History of Japanese Literature (William Heinemann, 1899). This poem is in the public domain.

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

The cry of the cicada
Gives us no sign
That presently it will die.

Matsuo Bashō

1899

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

’Twas the new moon!
Since then I waited—
And lo! to-night!
[I have my reward!]

Matsuo Bashō

1899

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

Ah! the waving lespedeza,
Which spills not a drop
Of the clear dew!

Matsuo Bashō

1899