Illustration: Honzu on horseback with drawn sword
Tonase and Konami.No, no, we will not.
Honzo.How troublesome you are!
Recitative.He kicks them both with his stirrups, and fainting, they fall on their backs. He does not look at them; but telling his servants to follow, he urges his horse and gallops out of sight.
[1]Refers to the third month of the lunar year, which corresponds roughly to April.
[2]A common servant’s name, which the man wishes to change for a better-sounding one.
[3]About four o’clock.
[4]Twelve o’clock.
[5]The samurai’s manner of taking an oath.
RECITATIVE.
Magnificent is the Palace which Lord Ashikaga Sahyoe-no-Kami Tadayoshi has newly built upon becoming the Governor-General of the Eight Eastern Provinces; thedaimyoand theshomyoin their fine court dresses are arrayed as brightly as the stars at night on the hills of Kamakura. For the entertainment theno-performers[1]enter by the back-gate and the guests by the front. The officers for serving the banquet come to the palace at the seventh hour. Dazzling is the glory of the military families.
Now towards the West Gate, preceded by servants lighting his way with a lantern, comes Musashi-no-Kami Kono Moronao with a dignified gait. His air is haughty and overbearing; dressed in a blue garment withlarge crests, he wears aneboshi[2]which stands up as proud as himself. He has left his attendants at the offices on the way; and only a few servants walk before him. Behind him, with perked-up shoulders, struts Sagisaka Bannai, aping his master’s haughty demeanour.
Bannai.Please your lordship. You are in high favour to-day. Men like Enya and Momonoi may be proud enough at other times; but when it comes to etiquette and ceremony, they look as foolish as a puppy thrown upon a roof. Why, it makes my sides ache with laughter to see them. By the bye, I hear that Enya’s wife, Lady Kaoyo, has not yet given an answer to my lord. Do not take it to heart. She is fair, but I do not fancy her. What, between a fellow like Enya and the most powerful Lord Moronao..........
Moronao.Hush, do not talk so loud. Kaoyo remains faithful, and although I have often, on the pretence of teaching her poetry, pressed my suit, she will not consent. I hear that among her serving-women is a new maid,Karu by name; and I mean to coax her into taking my part. Oh, there is still hope. If Kaoyo really dislikes me, she would tell everything to Enya. But she has not, and I do not despair.
Recitative.While the master and servant are nodding and talking to each other in the shadow of the four-legged gate, a samurai on guard at the gate rushes in.
Samurai.We were sitting on the bench at the gate when Kakogawa Honzo, a retainer of Momonoi Wakasanosuke, came and said that as he desired to see Lord Moronao personally, he had gone to his mansion on horseback; but he found my lord had already left for the Palace. He has come with many servants and desires most earnestly to see my lord. What answer shall I give?
Bannai.It is presumptuous of him to desire a personal interview with Lord Moronao who is so busy to-day. I will see him.
Moronao.Wait, wait, Bannai. I see it all. In revenge for what I did to him the day before yesterday at Tsurugaoka, Wakasanosuke has, while keeping himself in thebackground, sent this fellow Honzo to humiliate me. Ha, ha, ha. Take care, Bannai. It is still before the seventh hour. Call him here. I will settle him.
Bannai.Yes, I see. Now, servants, be prepared.
Recitative.Bannai and the servants wet the rivets of their swords to prepare for a fight. At a word from Moronao, Kakogawa Honzo quietly enters. He makes his servants lay before Moronao the presents which they have brought; and retiring afar, he crouches on the ground.
Illustration: Presents are laid before Moronai
Honzo.I take the liberty to address Lord Moronao. My master Wakasanosuke counts it a knightly honour beyond his desert that he should be appointed to a great office by the Shogun Takauji. We are anxious as Wakasanosuke, being still young, knows nothing of etiquette; but since Lord Moronao has condescended to instruct and guide him in all things, he has been able to discharge his duties without mishap. This is due to no merit on the part of my master, but is entirely owing to Lord Moronao’s kindness; and it has given unspeakable joy to my master, his wife, and the whole house. If, therefore, my lord will, as a slight token of our gratitude, deign to accept a few presents from our house, we shall feel most highly honoured. Pray, present the list to my lord.
Recitative.As he hands the list, Bannai takes it shyly and opens it with a perplexed look.
Bannai.(reads). “List of presents. Thirty rolls of cloth and thirty pieces of gold, from the wife of Wakasanosuke; twenty pieces of gold, from Kakogawa Honzo; tenpieces of gold, from the samurai of the house.”
Recitative.When Bannai has read out the list, Moronao remains open-mouthed and entranced. The two exchange glances and stare blankly around them; they look as foolish and awkward as disappointed merrymakers when the summer festivals have been postponed. Suddenly, Moronao speaks out.
Moronao.This is really most kind of you. What had we better do, Bannai?
Bannai.Well, if we were to decline the presents, we should be acting against their wishes, and above all, it would be a great breach of manners.
Moronao.Ah, though I teach etiquette, I do not know what to do in a case like this. Oh, what was I going to say? Well, Master Honzo, there is nothing really to teach. Besides, Lord Wakasanosuke is so clever that I, his teacher, am left far behind. Hi, Bannai, put away the presents. It is impolite of me, but on the road I cannot even offer you a cup of tea.
Recitative.Seeing this sudden change of front, Honzo feels that his plan has succeeded;but still he keeps his hands on the ground.
Honzo.It is now the seventh hour, and I will take my leave. To-day, the most important ceremony takes place in the Palace; and I humbly entreat my lord to honour my master with his guidance.
Recitative.As he rises, Moronao holds him by the sleeve.
Moronao.Do not go. Would you not like to see the nobles sitting around in the hall to-day?
Honzo.But it would be most disrespectful to His Highness for one of my low rank to.......
Moronao.No matter, no matter. When I go with you, no one shall say a word against you. Besides, Lord Wakasanosuke may also have something or other for you to do. Come, come.
Honzo.I will follow you, for it would be rude to decline. Nay, after you, my lord.
Recitative.With gold he has bought his lord’s life, and a crafty servant is he whose calculation has hit the mark; butthe path of loyalty and filial duty is straight and undeviating; and straight they all go in through the gate.
Soon after, enters Enya Hangwan Takasada. He, too, has left his attendants behind and keeps his palanquin standing on the road. His retainer, Hayano Kanpei, whose family has for many generations served his house, goes up to the gate rustling in his newhakama[3]figured with sere leaves. He calls out.
Illustration: Takasada and Kanpei
Kanpei.Enya Hangwan Takasada presents himself at the Palace.
Recitative.The gate-guard comes out.
Guard.A while ago, Lord Momonoi came to the Palace and asked for my lord; and just now Lord Moronao arrived and also asked for him. They have both gone in.
Enya.What, Kanpei, have they all gone in? I am grieved to find that I am late.
Recitative.With only Kanpei in his train, he hurries into the Palace. From within the Palace is heard the song for the entertainment; it runs, “They have arrived at the coast of Harima, at the beach of Takasago.” While the sound is wafted by the wind to the willow-tree outside the gate, even more shapely than the willow is the maiden of some eighteen summers, with arched eyebrows, her face covered with a hood and herobitied behind, evidently serving in a strict family, who comes along attended by a servant with a lantern adorned with Enya’s family crest. She stops to rest before the gate.
Okaru.The day will soon break, andyou are not allowed to enter the gate. You will now go home and rest yourself.
Recitative.The servant obeys and goes home. She peeps within.
Okaru.What is Kanpei doing? I want to see him as I have a message.
Recitative.As she looks around, Kanpei sees her from behind.
Kanpei.Are you not Okaru?
Okaru.Master Kanpei, I wanted to see you. I am glad that you have come.
Kanpei.H’m, I cannot understand why you are here, alone and unattended at this time of night.
Okaru.Why, I sent back the servant who came with me, and I remained here alone, because I came on an errand from my lady. I was to see you and tell you to hand this letter-case to our lord and beg him to give it direct to Lord Moronao. But, she added, as he must be very busy, it might not reach my lord’s hand, and she had better not send it to-night. But I wanted to see you, and so I said to her that however busy our lord might be, he would surely havetime to hand an ode or two to Lord Moronao. And so I hurried here, and I am quite out of breath.
Kanpei.Then, all that is needed is that our lord should himself hand this letter-case to Lord Moronao. Well, I will go and give it to our lord, and so wait for me.
Recitative.Suddenly, a voice is heard calling out within the gate.
A Voice.Kanpei, Kanpei! Lord Hangwan is calling you. Kanpei, Kanpei!
Kanpei.Here, sir. I am coming. Oh, how impatient!
Recitative.As Kanpei parts from Okaru and goes in, out comes Sagisaka Bannai with stealthy steps.
Bannai.What do you say, Okaru? Deep is love’s stratagem. As I saw you whispering with Kanpei, I called him away by pretending that his lord wanted him; was not that finely done? Lord Moronao says he has something to ask of you; and as for me, I want......O darling, darling.
Recitative.As he tries to embrace her, she pushes him away.
Okaru.Come, don’t be so improper. You serve in a house noted for etiquette, and you can be so boorish. How vulgar, how unmannerly of you!
Bannai.That is too cruel.
Recitative.In the dark he makes several attempts to catch hold of her hand. Voices are heard.
Voices.Master Bannai, Master Bannai! Lord Moronao wants you this minute. Master Bannai, Master Bannai!
Recitative.Two servants come out and stare vacantly around.
Servants.Here you are, Master Bannai. Lord Moronao has long been asking for you. What, you, who serve in a house noted for etiquette, run after a woman! How vulgar, how unmannerly of you!
Bannai.Hang it, they say the same thing as she did.
Recitative.He accompanies the servants with a sulky face; and immediately after, Kanpei comes in.
Kanpei.Did you see what I did? That fellow Bannai hoaxed me just now; and if Icame and told him that he was wanted, he would have said, “Shut up, it is an old trick”; and so I gave drink to the servants and played the trick that he could not see through. Ha, ha, I had him there beautifully. Now that I have got rid of him, come with me.
Recitative.And he takes her by the hand.
Okaru.Oh, how impatient you are! Please, wait a moment.
Kanpei.What do you say? There is no need to wait, and the day will break before long. Come at once.
Recitative.He presses her; and to love inclined, she is nothing loth.
Okaru.But here are people about.
Recitative.From within the palace is heard the song of Takasago :—“They sit on the root of the pine-tree.”
Kanpei.That song reminds me; let us sit on the bench.
Recitative.And they go out hand in hand.
Recitative.The prelude is sung, and inthe orchestra are heard the sounds of thetsuzumi[4]and the drum. They celebrate the long-continued peace and prosperity of the land. Lord Tadayoshi is highly pleased with the entertainment.
Illustration: Seated musicians
Wakasanosuke is impatiently waiting for Moronao and glances into the interior of the Palace. He tightens the cords of his longhakamaand grasps with all his strength thehilt of his sword, ready to draw it and cut down Moronao. Moronao and his servant Bannai, unaware that he is waiting, come out and see him from afar.
Moronao.Why, Lord Wakasanosuke, you are come betimes. Well, I am quite crest-fallen; you have beaten me. By the bye, there is something that I must explain to you, that I must apologise to you for.
Recitative.He throws down his sword and dirk before him.
Moronao.Lord Wakasanosuke, hear me while I explain it all. The violent language I used the other day at Tsurugaoka, how it
Illustration: Moronao on knees with Wakasanosuke standing in front
must have aroused your anger! And your anger was natural, and that is why I wish to apologise. What I said then from somemisunderstanding I look upon as the greatest blunder of my life. See how a samurai bows to the floor and begs your pardon! I can do so now because you are a man of the world; but if it had been some excitable bungler, why, he would have cut me down on the spot. Oh, it gives me the shivers to think of it. Do you know, when I saw you turn away, I clasped my hands and bowed to you with gratitude for your magnanimity. Ha, ha, ha, when we age, we turn cowards. Think of my years and I am sure you are not a man to refuse when you see a samurai throw down his sword and beg your pardon with clasped hands. I entreat you again and again. Bannai, come and ask pardon with me.
Recitative.Wakasanosuke, who does not dream that his money was the cause of all this fawning, finds his energy gone and cannot now unsheathe his sword. With the weapon beside him that he was ready to draw, he hangs down his head in deep thought. From behind the low hedge, Honzo watches without once blinking.
Moronao.Ah, Bannai, why is Enya late? He is quite different to Lord Wakasanosuke. He is an unmannerly man. He does not yet show his face here. As such is the master, so there is not one among his councillors who gives careful attention to things. Come, Lord Wakasanosuke, let us go to His Highness. Now, rise; you have seen me apologise, and you surely are satisfied.
Wakasanosuke.No, I do not feel well. Pray, go before me.
Moronao.What is the matter? A stomach-ache? Quick, Bannai, rub down his back. Shall I give you some medicine?
Wakasanosuke.No, I am not so ill as that.
Moronao.Then, rest awhile. I will go and explain to His Highness. Show him into another room, Bannai.
Recitative.Both master and servant force their attentions upon him; and though he is annoyed, he submits and is taken into a room in the interior of the Palace.
Honzo.Ah, now a heavy load is off my mind.
Recitative.Honzo bows to Heaven and earth in gratitude, and then retires into a neighbouring room. Soon after, Enya Hangwan comes to the long passage which leads to His Highness’s presence. Moronao sees him and calls out.
Moronao.Late, late. What think you? Did I not tell you to be here by the seventh hour to-day?
Hangwan.Yes, I am to blame for my lateness; but I think there is still time ere we appear before His Highness.
Recitative.He takes a letter-case out of his sleeve.
Hangwan.A servant of mine has brought this to be handed to you; it is from my wife Kaoyo.
Recitative.He hands it to Moronao.
Moronao.Yes, yes. Your wife is a very accomplished lady. Hearing that I take to the composition of poetry, she has asked me to correct her odes. No doubt, she has written on the matter.
Recitative.He opens the letter-case and reads out.
Moronao
“Heavy the burden love doth lay,E’en when ’tis free from sin; Let not thy heart, then,go astrayUnlawful love to win.”[5]
“Heavy the burden love doth lay,E’en when ’tis free from sin; Let not thy heart, then,go astrayUnlawful love to win.”[5]
“Heavy the burden love doth lay,E’en when ’tis free from sin; Let not thy heart, then,go astrayUnlawful love to win.”[5]
“Heavy the burden love doth lay,
E’en when ’tis free from sin; Let not thy heart, then,
go astray
Unlawful love to win.”[5]
Why, this is an ode from the “New Collection of Odes, Ancient and Modern.” Does she wish me to correct an old ode? Humph.
Recitative.He is wrapped in thought. Then his love is rejected, and has she confessed to her husband? He conceals his chagrin as he turns to Enya.
Moronao.Lord Hangwan, did you see this ode?
Hangwan.I see it now for the first time.
Moronao.H’m, when I was reading it? Ah, your wife is a very chaste lady. Even an ode that she sends me is of this kind, “Let not thy heart go astray unlawful love to win.” Most chaste, most chaste. You are a lucky man. No wonder you come lateto the Palace. As you are always sticking close to your wife, you give no thought to your duties here.
Recitative.Hangwan does not know that this insult is heaped upon him in return for Moronao’s having taken back his abuse from Wakasanosuke. He checks his rising passions.
Enya.Ha, ha. Are you merry with wine, my lord? You have been drinking, no doubt.
Moronao.When did you pour me wine? Nay, when did I drink? Even when I am given wine and drink, I do not fail in my duty. And you, why are you late? Have you been drinking? Or have you been keeping close at home? Lord Wakasanosuke, he is so different to you; he is most diligent. Oh, your wife is chaste, beautiful, and writes a fine hand. Be proud of her. Now keep your temper. I am telling the truth. To-day when His Highness is so busy and I too am no less, you can come and say to me with a proud look, “This is my wife’s ode!” If your wife is so precious, no need for you tocome here. A fellow who always remains at home like you is often compared to a carp in a well. Now listen to me. This carp thinks that there is no place in heaven or on earth like the well of three or four feet width that he lives in, for he has no opportunity of seeing other places. Then when the well is cleaned, he comes up in a bucket and is thrown into the river. He who knew only his narrow home is delighted to find himself in the river; but he loses his way and knocks his nose against a bridge-pier, which sends his body a-trembling till he gives up the ghost. You are just such another carp. Ha, ha, ha!
Recitative.As he talks at random, Hangwan can endure it no longer.
Hangwan.Are you out of your senses that you talk in this way? Are you mad, Moronao?
Moronao.What, how dare you call a samurai a madman, ay, me, Kono Moronao, the first of all the nobles?
Hangwan.Then, you insult me deliberately?
Moronao.You are tiresome. What will you do if I say, yes?
Hangwan.Why, this.
Recitative.Quick as thought, he draws his sword and strikes him, inflicting a serious wound on his forehead. He strikes again;
Illustration: Hangwan striking Moronao with a sword
but as Moronao lowers his body, only hiseboshiis cut in two. Again, Enya rushes upon him, but Moronao dodges his blow; and as Moronao flees from him, Honzo rushes in from the adjoining room and catches Enya from behind.
Honzo.You are too rash, Lord Hangwan.
Recitative.And while Honzo holds Enya, Moronao escapes towards the banquet-hall, stumbling at every step.
Hangwan.I will cut you in two, Moronao. Let go, Honzo, let go.
Recitative.While he struggles to get free, the whole palace is in a commotion. The officers of the palace, thedaimyoandshomyo, rush in; and some surround Enya and snatch away his sword, and others attend to Moronao. Great indeed is the uproar and confusion.
(Here the stage revolves)
Recitative.Great noises are heard in the Palace with both the front and back gates shut; and all is bustle with lanterns swinging in all directions. Kanpei, with a startled look, runs back and beats the back-gate almost enough to break it. He calls out in a loud voice.
Kanpei.Enya Hangwan’s servant, Hayano Kanpei, is uneasy on his master’s account. He begs the gate to be opened immediately.
Recitative.A loud voice is heard in reply from within the gate.
A Voice.If you have any business, go round to the front. This is the back gate.
Kanpei.I know this is the back gate; but the front gate is so crowded with retainers on horseback hurrying about that I cannot approach it. Tell me how the quarrel has ended.
A Voice.The quarrel has been settled. For his attack upon Lord Moronao, the first of the nobles, Enya Hangwan has been ordered
Illustration: Wicker-palanquin is carried by workers
to be confined in his own house and has just been sent home in a wicker-palanquin.
Kanpei.Great Heavens!
Recitative.He starts to run to the mansion.
Kanpei.No, no. If my lord is to be confined in his own house, I can still less return to the mansion.
Recitative.As he walks to and fro in bewilderment, the waiting-woman Okaru, whom he lost on the way, appears.
Okaru.Oh, Master Kanpei, I have heard it all; and what must we do?
Recitative.As she rushes up to him, he pushes her away.
Kanpei.What are you crying for? Kanpei can no longer be a samurai. This shall be the end.
Recitative.And he puts his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Okaru.No, please, wait. Have you lost your senses, Kanpei?
Kanpei.Yes, I have lost them. And how can I help losing them? I was not with my master in his hour of sorest need.Besides, he has been sent home like a felon in a wicker-palanquin; and the gate of his mansion has closed upon him; and all this time his servant, lost in love, did not follow him. How can I go before men with my swords on? Let go your hand.
Okaru.Please, wait a moment. What you say is true and reasonable. And who made such a faithless samurai of you? Why, it was I, and I alone; and if one of us must die, it is I who should die before you. But if you die now, who will ever praise your samurai spirit? Now think well over this. First, come with me to my father’s home. Both my father and mother are country-people, but they are a worthy couple. Now that things have come to this pass, look upon it as your fate and please, listen to your wife’s advice, Master Kanpei.
Recitative.She bursts out crying and is soon sunk in tears.
Kanpei.You are right. Of course you are but newly come into service and probably do not know all about our lord’s house. The chief councillor of the house, MasterOboshi Yuranosuke, has not yet returned from the country; and when he comes back, I will ask pardon through him. Come, let us go as quickly as we can.
Recitative.As they prepare to go, Sagisaka Bannai rushes out with his servants.
Bannai.Ah, Kanpei. For attacking Lord Moronao and inflicting a slight wound upon him, your master Hangwan is confined in his house, and his head is sure to be chopped off before long. Now wrench his arms. We are going to take you home and torture you to death. So prepare yourself for your fate.
Kanpei.We are well met, Sagisaka Bannai. It will not be enough for me to kill a fellow like you; but you shall see how neatly this arm of mine can cut you up.
Bannai.Don’t let him speak, fellows.
Servants.Very well, sir.
Recitative.Two of them attack him from both sides; but he dodges them and wrenches their arms with his hands and kicks them down. In their place two more cut at him, but he receives their blows with hissword-scabbard; and as they turn round and come again, he strikes aside their swords with the hilt and scabbard-end of his own. And when the four men attack him together, he sends them flying at once to the right and left; they fall down and then rise and run away in all directions. In hot anger, Bannai strikes at him; but Kanpei dodges and catches him by the neck; he throws him down on the ground and sets his foot upon him.
Kanpei.Now I can do as I please with you. Shall I run you through, cut you in pieces, or kill you by inches?
Recitative.But Okaru clings to his uplifted sword.
Okaru.No, no, if you kill this fellow, it will spoil your chance of a pardon. That is enough; let him go.
Recitative.As she stops him, Sagisaka wriggles out from under his foot and runs away for very life.
Kanpei.Oh, what a pity I let him go! But if I killed him, it would have been a most disloyal deed. We will, we two, live inhiding for the present, and when the time comes, we will beg for pardon.
Illustration: Kanpei and Okaru side by side
Recitative.It is already the sixth hour[6]; and across the streaks of cloud in the whitening east, the crows are flying from out their nests. The lovers hurry on their way; but their hearts are held back by their anxiety for their lord’s fate. Such, alas, is the way of the world.
Illustration: Cloth and fan on ground
[1]The No-performance is a dramatic posture-dance accompanied by song and music.
[2]The ceremonial court hat.
[3]A kind of divided skirts, worn by men.
[4]A drum with a slender body, beaten by hand.
[5]One of the ten precepts in verse, by Jakunen, a noted priest and poet (died in 1137).
[6]About six o'clock.
RECITATIVE.
Enya Hangwan being confined in his house, the town-mansion at Ogigayatsu has its gates closed with large bamboo poles, and none but the members of the household is allowed to go in or out; strictly is the house guarded. Even in such a plight, gay are the waiting-women as they amuse themselves in the inner rooms. Lady Kaoyo sits with Oboshi Rikiya at her side. To enliven her lord’s spirits, she has laid before her a basket of cherry-blossoms, double and treble flowered, from the hills of Kamakura; but far more beautiful than the flowers is the lady who is arranging them. Along the passage of the Willow Chamber comes Hara Goemon, a chief of troops, followed by Ono Kudayu.
Goemon.Ah, Master Chikara, you have come early.
Chikara.No; until my father arrives from the country, I attend here day and night.
Goemon.That is very dutiful of you.
Recitative.Goemon lays both his hands on the mat.
Illustration: Kaoyo kneeling, arranging cherry blossoms
Goemon.How does my lord feel, this morning?
Kaoyo.Thank you for coming, both of you. I feared much lest my lord should sink into low spirits and fall ill; but he looks cheerful and gazes from morning till evening at the flowers in the garden. And so, for his diversion, I have had these famous cherry-blossoms brought and am arranging them as you see.
Goemon.Yes, it is as you say, my lady. Your idea is that as the flowers open, they presage that the gates will be opened and our lord released from confinement. I thought, too, of bringing something of the sort; only I am a poor hand in devising emblems. But I have forgotten to speak of an important matter. I hear that the Shogun’s envoys will be here to-day, and I have no doubt they will come to release our lord from confinement. Do you not think so, Master Kudayu?
Kudayu.Ha, ha, ha! Why, Master Goemon, these flowers gladden men’s eyes only for a while, and then are scattered by the wind. Your words are like them. To give others pleasure, you pay in a way unworthy of a samurai compliments, from which the gilt comes off as readily as from the New Year’s wishes. Ask me why I say so. Our lord, whose duty it was to entertain the guests, wounded one who is the head of the government and caused a great uproar in the Palace; the penalty for his offence is at the lightest banishment and at the heaviestseppuku. It was, in fact, a great mistake of our lord to make an enemy of Lord Moronao.
Goemon.What, do you, then, wish for our lord’s banishment or death?
Kudayu.No, I do not wish for it; but I only speak the plain truth. It all arose from your stinginess, Master Goemon. If you had thrown gold to Moronao, it would not have happened.
Recitative.From his own greed he judges of others.
Goemon.No, it is unworthy of a knight to fawn upon others. Do you not think so, Master Rikiya?
Kaoyo.Do not quarrel, you two. My husband’s trouble arose entirely from me. The other day, when there was an entertainment at Tsurugaoka, that lawless Moronao urged his insolent love to me who have a lord. I wished to punish him by humiliating him; and so, without telling my lord, I sent him an old ode on chastity on the pretence of asking his criticism of my own composition. Put to shame, he abused Lord Hangwan in revenge for my rejection of his love. Was itnot natural that my lord, who is hasty of temper, could ill brook his insults?
Recitative.When she has spoken, both Goemon and Rikiya show in their looks their deep sympathy for their lord in his anger. The envoys’ arrival is announced at the porch and in the reception-room, and is also reported in the inner rooms; Lady Kaoyo sits back, and the three men have hardly gone forward to meet them before the envoys enter. They are Ishido Umanojo and Moronao’s intimate friend, Yakushiji Jirozaemon. As they have come on duty, they pass without ceremony and take seats in the upper part of the chamber. From another room quietly comes in Enya Hangwan.
Hangwan.Ha, my Lord Ishido, I thank you for coming as the Shogun’s Envoy. Tell them to prepare wine. When I have heard His Highness’s will, I will partake of wine with you all and cheer my spirits.
Yakushiji.Yes, that is a bright idea, and I, too, will drink with you. But I fancy, when you have heard His Highness’s order, the wine will hardly go down your throat.
Ishido.Now, listen carefully to the order which we have brought to you to-day.
Recitative.He draws the written order from his breast and opens it; and Hangwan sits with reverence.
Ishido.These are the words: “Where-as Enya Hangwan Takasada did, out of private hate and malice, attack and wound the Governor Kono Moronao and cause a great disturbance in the Palace, his domain is confiscated and he is ordered to commitseppuku.”
Recitative.On hearing this, Lady Kaoyo is amazed; and the retainers in the chamber exchange glances, and are dumbfounded. Hangwan remains calm and composed.
Hangwan.I humbly submit to His Highness’s will. Now, you will rest yourselves after your arduous duty is done and take a cup of wine.
Yakushiji.Now, Hangwan, be silent. You ought to be thankful that for your crime, for which the penalty should be death by strangling, you are ordered by His Highness’s clemency to commitseppuku; and youshould at once prepare for death. Besides, there is the etiquette for committingseppuku. What do you mean by dressing yourself up in a longhaori[1]of the present fashion? Have you been drinking, or have you run mad? You are wanting in courtesy to Lord Ishido and me, Yakushiji, who are here by His Highness’s command.
Recitative.As he rebukes him, Hangwan smiles.
Hangwan.I am neither merry with wine, nor am I mad. When I heard that the envoys were coming to-day, I expected to receive this sentence. I will show you how I am prepared.
Recitative.He puts down his swords and takes off hishaoriand upper garment; and he appears in the white, uncrested robe of death. All are astonished at the sight; and Yakushiji, disappointed, sinks into sulky silence. Umanojo approaches Hangwan.
Ishido.I heartily sympathise with you. I am here to see the sentence carried out. You will calmly prepare yourself.
Hangwan.I thank you for your kind words. When I drew my sword, I was prepared for the sentence. My only regret is that I was held back by Kakogawa Honzo in the Palace and prevented from slaying Moronao. I am mortified beyond expression and can never forget it. Like Kusunoki Masashige[2]who declared at Minatogawa that he would lengthen his life by the force of his iron will at the last moment, I will return to life again and again until my vengeance is wreaked.
Recitative.While he utters these angry words, the sliding-door of the adjoining room is rapped.
Retainers.We, the retainers of the house, beg to be permitted to look once more upon our lord’s face. May we present ourselves before him? Inquire for us, Master Goemon.
Recitative.On hearing the retainers’ request, Goemon turns to his lord.
Goemon.How shall I answer them, my lord?
Hangwan.Their request is natural; but I cannot permit them until Yuranosuke comes.
Recitative.Goemon turns to the sliding-door of the next room.
Goemon.You have heard our lord’s will, and not one of you may come in.
Recitative.The retainers have not a word to say in reply, and the whole room is deadly still. At the word from his lord, Rikiya brings the dirk which he has ready for the self-immolation and places it before his lord. Calmly Hangwan doffs thekataginu[3]and sits more at ease.
Hangwan.Now, my lords, see the sentence carried out.
Recitative.He draws the wooden stand towards him and, taking up the dirk, raises it to his head.
Hangwan.Rikiya, Rikiya.
Rikiya.My lord.
Hangwan.Yuranosuke.......
Rikiya.Has not yet come, my lord.
Hangwan.H’m. I am sorry, I deeply regret, that I cannot see him before I die. There is no help for it. I can wait no longer.