氷苦く偃鼠が咽をうるほせり
kōri nigaku . enso ga nodo o . uruoseri
Ice is bitter, in a rat’s mouth, but it quenches his thirst.
Ice that’s bitter, in a rat’s mouth, just enough to shut him up
Matsuo Basho, Winter 1683
Ice
—
—
氷苦く偃鼠が咽をうるほせり
kōri nigaku . enso ga nodo o . uruoseri
Ice is bitter, in a rat’s mouth, but it quenches his thirst.
Ice that’s bitter, in a rat’s mouth, just enough to shut him up
Matsuo Basho, Winter 1683