43. Yamato-take Sickens and Dies

1When he departed thence and reached the moor of Tagi, he said: “Whereas my heart always felt like flying through the sky, my legs are now unable to walk. They have become rudder-shaped.” So that place was called by the name of Tagi. Owing to his being very weary with progressing a little further beyond that place, he lent upon an august staff to walk a little. So that place is called by the name of the Tsuwe-tsuki pass. On arriving at the single pine-tree on Cape Wotsu, an august sword, which he had forgotten at that place before when augustly eating, was still [there] not lost. Then he augustly sang, saying:

2“O mine elder brother, the single pine-tree that art on Cape Wotsu which directly faces Wohari! If thou, single pine-tree! wert a person, I would gird [my] sword [upon thee], I would clothe thee with [my] garments,—O mine elder brother, the single pine-tree!”

3When he departed thence and reached the village of Mihe, he again said: “My legs are like three-fold crooks, and very weary.” So that place was called by the name of Mihe. When he departed thence and reached the Moor of Nobo, he, regretting [his native] land, sang, saying:

4“As for Yamato, the most secluded of lands—Yamato, retired behind Mount Awogaki encompassing it with its folds, is delightful.”

5“Let those whose life may he complete stick [in their hair] as a head-dress the leaves of the bear-oak from Mount Heguri,—those children!”

6This Song is a Land-Regretting Song. Again he sang, saying:

7“How sweet! ah! from the direction of home clouds are rising and coming!”

8This is an Incomplete Song. At this time, his august sickness was very urgent. Then, he sang augustly, saying:

9“The sabre-sword which I placed at the maiden’s bed-side alas! that sword!”

10As soon as he had finished singing, he died. Then a courier was despatched [to the Heavenly Sovereign.]