Kyusuke's
love for the Princess intensified so much that he became quite lovesick and succumbed to a
fever. Although he knew his love was futile, Kyusuke composed waka poems from his sick bed
so that he might tell Princess Shirataki of the longing in his heart.
I envision you there high above me, over the clouds
Though my love in its intensity rises up to you
I fear you may not grasp my true feelings for you.
In this way, Kyusuke wrote poetry for Shirataki and sent it to her on three occasions. But
he had no way of knowing whether or not the poems were delivered into her hands and the
Princess, alas, wrote no poems in response to his.
Kyusuke was bedridden for about one month. His co-workers advised him, "No one should
work in such a weak condition. You'd better stay in bed and take care of yourself."
But Kyusuke stubbornly responded, "I should not continue to be a burden on all of
you." And so, thin as he was, Kyusuke began to work again. In due time, his health
returned to him and the remaining days and weeks of his service to the Court passed
quickly. |