[Footnote 21: At different times, in the history of Japanese female
costume, different articles of dress were called by this name. In the
present instance, the _hiré_ referred to was probably a white scarf,
worn about the neck and carried over the shoulders to the breast,
where its ends were either allowed to hang loose, or were tied into
an ornamental knot. The _hiré_ was often used to make signals with,
much as handkerchiefs are waved to-day for the same purpose;--and the
question uttered in the poem seems to signify: "Can that be Tanabata
waving her scarf--to call me?" In very early times, the ordinary
costumes worn were white.]

Shiba-shiba mo
Ai minu kimi wo,
Amanogawa
Funa-dé haya séyo
Yo no fukénu ma ni.

[_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 fuké-yukéba.

[_Late in the night, a mist spreads over_] _the River of
Heaven; and the sound of the oar[22] of Hikoboshi is heard._]