Messages

Not so fast, not so fast!

Wait a bit, tiny wave!

I'd like to give you a message

for my sweetheart.

If you glide past her,

greet her fondly for me!

Say, I would come with you,

sailing on you myself -

in return for my greeting,

boldly demanding a kiss -

but the urgency of time

would not permit it.

Not so hasty! stop! permit me,

small, light-winged dove!

I have a message

for my sweetheart!

You should give her a thousand greetings,

and a hundred beyond that.

Say, I would fly with you,

stretching over mountain and stream -

in return for my greeting,

boldly demanding a kiss -

but the urgency of time

would not permit it.

Don't wait for me to drive you,

oh you sluggish round moon!

You know well what I have commanded you

to do for my sweetheart:

through her little window, furtively,

greet her fondly for me!

Say, I would climb on you

and fly to her myself -

in return for my greeting,

boldly demanding a kiss;

It was your fault, for your impatience

would not permit me.