Hashira ni wa
Sakasama-goto no
Uréï aranan.

[_As for that house-pillar mistakenly planted upside-down, it
will certainly cause adversity and sorrow._[52]]

[Footnote 52: Lit., "upside-down-matter-sorrow." _Sakasama-goto_,
"up-side-down affair," is a common expression for calamity,
contrariety, adversity, vexation.]

Kabé ni mimi
Arité, kiké to ka?
Sakashima ni
Tateshi hashira ni
Yanari suru oto!

[_O Ears that be in the wall![53] listen, will ye? to the
groaning and the creaking of the house-post that was planted
upside-down!_]

[Footnote 53: Alluding to the proverb, _Kabé ni mimi ari_ ("There are
ears in the wall"), which signifies: "Be careful how you talk about
other people, even in private."]

Uri-iyé no
Aruji we toëba,
Oto arité:
Waré mé ga kuchi wo
Aku saka-bashira.