I HAD wandered far through many 

 lands; had listened to the tin- 

 kling music of the samisen and 

 the voices of women singing. I had 

 climbed high mountains, seen strange 

 gods in the temples ; had rested 'neath 

 flowery trees in the heat of the long 

 summer days, and had scattered money 

 with a free hand. 



" Suddenly, in a far country, my 

 thoughts turned to home, to my wife, 

 to my children so long unseen, to my 

 garden blossoming and fair. 1 set my 

 face toward home; I travelled long. 

 Soon now shall I see my beloved. 

 Lightly, lightly, speeds my boat along, 

 my garments fluttering to the gentle 

 breeze. The rice-fields are growing 

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