"O mother, do not mourn me thus! That I died was only that you
might not die. For the year was a year of sickness and of
sorrow,--and it was given me to know that you were to die; and I
obtained by prayer that I should take your place(2).
"O mother, never weep for me! it is not kindness to mourn for the
dead. Over the River of Tears(3) their silent road is; and when
mothers weep, the flood of that river rises, and the soul cannot
pass, but must wander to and fro.
"Therefore, I pray you, do not grieve, O mother mine! Only give
me a little water sometimes."
(1) Whence the Izumo saying about one who too often announces his
coming: "Thy talk is like the talk of
necromancy!"--Toritsubanashi no yona.
(2) Migawari, "substitute," is the religious term.
(3) "Namida-no-Kawa."