It was a clear moonlit night a little after the tenth
of the Eighth month. Her Majesty, who was residing in the Empress's Office, sat
by the edge of the veranda while Ukon no Naishi played the flute for her. The
other ladies in attendance sat together, talking and laughing; but I stayed by
myself, leaning against one of the pillars between the main hall and the
veranda.
"Why so silent?" said Her Majesty. "Say
something. It is sad when you do not speak."
"I am gazing into the autumn moon", I
replied.
"Ah yes," she remarked. "That is just
what you should have said."
