[Because he is my not-often-to-be-met beloved, hasten to
    row the boat across the River of Heaven ere the night be
    advanced.]

    Amanogawa
  Kiri tachi-watari
    Hikoboshi no
  Kaji no ’to kikoyu
  Yo no fuk[’e]-yuk[’e]ba.

    [Late in the night, a mist spreads over] the River of
    Heaven; and the sound of the oar[22] of Hikoboshi is heard.]

[Footnote 22:  Or, “the creaking of the oar.” (The word kaji to-day means “helm";—­the single oar, or scull, working upon a pivot, and serving at once for rudder and oar, being now called ro.) The mist passing across the Amanogawa is, according to commentators, the spray from the Star-god’s oar.]

    Amanogawa
  Kawa ’to sayak[’e]shi: 
    Hikoboshi no
  Haya kogu fun[’e] no
  Nami no sawagi ka?

    [On the River of Heaven a sound of plashing can be distinctly
    heard:  is it the sound of the rippling made by Hikoboshi
    quickly rowing his boat?]

    Kono y[=u]b[’e],
  Furikuru am[’e] wa,
    Hikoboshi no
  Haya kogu fun[’e] no
  Ka[:i] no chiri ka mo.

    [Perhaps this evening shower is but the spray (flung down)
    from the oar of Hikoboshi, rowing his boat in haste.]

  Waga tama-doko wo
    Asu yori wa
    Uchi hara[:i],
  Kimi to in[’e]zut[’e]
  Hitori ka mo nen!

    [From to-morrow, alas! after having put my jewel-bed in
    order, no longer reposing with my lord, I must sleep alone!]

    Kaz[’e] fukit[’e],
  Kawa-nami tachinu;—­
    Hiki-fun[’e] ni
  Watari mo kimas[’e]
  Yo no fuk[’e]nu ma ni.

    [The wind having risen, the waves of the river have become
    high;—­this night cross over in a towboat,[23] I pray thee,
    before the hour be late!]

[Footnote 23:  Lit. “pull-boat” (hiki-fun[’e]),—­a barge or boat pulled by a rope.]

    Amanogawa
  Nami wa tatsutomo,
    Waga fun[’e] wa
  Iza kogi iden
  Yo no fuk[’e]nu ma ni.

    [Even though the waves of the River of Heaven run high, I
    must row over quickly, before it becomes late in the night.]

    Inishi[’e] ni
  Orit[’e]shi hata wo;
    Kono y[=u]b[’e]
  Koromo ni nu[:i]t[’e]—­
  Kimi matsu ar[’e] wo!

    [Long ago I finished weaving the material; and, this evening,
    having finished sewing the garment for him—­(why must) I still
    wait for my lord?]

    Amanogawa
  S[’e] wo hayami ka mo? 
    Nubatama no
  Yo wa fuk[’e] ni tsutsu,
  Awanu Hikoboshi!

[Is it that the current of the River of Heaven (has become too) rapid?  The jet-black night[24] advances—­and Hikoboshi has not come!]