then it was whispered in court circles that the princess hase , the daughter of prince toyonari fujiwara , second minister at court , was the most gifted poetess of the day , though still so young , and her masters confirmed the report . long ago , a beautiful and gifted maiden - poetess had moved heaven by praying in verse , had brought down rain upon a land famished with drought - so said the ancient biographers of the poetess ono - no - komachi . if the princess hase were to write a poem and offer it in prayer , might it not stop the noise of the rushing river and remove the cause of the imperial illness ? what the court said at last reached the ears of the emperor himself , and he sent an order to the minister prince toyonari to this effect .
write a poem and offer it in prayer .
what was requested of princess hase ?
what was requested of princess hase ?