The great forests murmured beside it, and through their swaying
boughs was breathed the song of Eternity. Those who listen may
hear if their ears are open. To others it is but the idle sighing
of the wind.
Now because of all this beauty there stood in these forests a
roughly built palace of unbarked wood, and here the great Emperor
would come from City-Royal to seek rest for his doubtful thoughts
and the cares of state, turning aside often to see the moonlight
in Shiobara. He sought also the free air and the sound of falling
water, yet dearer to him than the plucked strings of sho and
biwa. For he said;
"Where and how shall We find peace even for a moment, and afford
Our heart refreshment even for a single second?"
And it seemed to him that he found such moments at Shiobara.
Only one of his great nobles would His Majesty bring with him -
the Dainagon, and him be chose because he was a worthy and
honorable person and very simple of heart.
There was yet another reason why the Son of Heaven inclined to
the little Shiobara. It had reached the Emperor that a Recluse of
the utmost sanctity dwelt in that forest.
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