Illustration: Three hunters carrying a body
Yahachi.As we were coming home from the night’s work, we found your old man’s body, and so we have brought it here.
Recitative.The mother is amazed.
Mother.Whose deed was it? Tell me, my son, who is the murderer? Please, revenge his death. Oh, my husband, my husband!
Recitative.But her cries are in vain; there is naught but tears for her.
Hunters.Oh, how grieved you must be, old mother! Appeal to the Lord Deputy’s office and have the matter inquired into. We are very sorry for you.
Recitative.The hunters all leave her and go to their own homes. The mother, amid her tears, comes close to Kanpei.
Mother.Now, my son, I thought my suspicions unjust; but there is one thing I cannot understand. Though you were, it is true, formerly a samurai, yet one would have expected you to be amazed when you saw your father-in-law’s dead body. When you met him on the road, did you not receive money from him? What did he say to you? Now, tell me. Say it. Ah, you cannot answer; and this is the reason why.
Recitative.And she puts her hand into Kanpei’s bosom and draws out the pouch.
Mother.A while ago I caught sight of this pouch. See, it is stained with blood, and you must have killed the old man.
Kanpei.No, this........
Mother.What of it? You may try to hide it; but the all-seeing Heaven reveals it. And the money for which you killed the old man, for whom was it intended? Yes, I see. You thought that your father-in-law, being poor, would keep back a half of the money for which he sold his daughter, and not give you the whole of it; and so you killed him and took it all. How it galls me to think that until this very day we were deceived and believed you to be an upright man, you inhuman monster! I am so astonished that tears refuse to flow. Oh, poor Yoichibei, you did not know what a brute your son is; in your wish to restore him to the samurai’s rank, you ran about, old man as you were, in Kyoto without taking a night’s rest, and at expense to yourself, you helped him; and all this has led to your own undoing, and you are bitten by the dog that you have been feeding. How could you have killed him in this cruel manner, you devil, you serpent? Return me father, restore to life my old man.
Recitative.In her fury, she seizes himby the hair, and pulling him towards her, beats his head on the floor.
Mother.My anger would not be satisfied even if I tortured you to death inch by inch.
Recitative.With revengeful words, she lays her face on the floor and gives way to tears. For his misdeed, Kanpei feels his whole body covered with boiling sweat; he clings to the mat, and he knows that the punishment of Heaven has come upon him. At this moment arrive two samurai, wearing deep wicker hats.
Illustration: Two standing men wearing wicker hats
Samurai.Is Hayano Kanpei at home? Hara Goemon and Senzaki Yagoro beg to see him.
Recitative.It is an inopportune moment; but Kanpei takes his sword and with bent hips, goes forth to meet them.
Kanpei.You are welcome, gentlemen. I thank you for thus honouring my humble home.
Recitative.He bows to them.
Goemon.I see there is some trouble in the house.
Kanpei.Nay, it is but a slight house-household matter. Pray, do not mind it, but walk straight in.
Goemon.Then, by your leave, we will do so.
Recitative.They go straight in and take their seats; and Kanpei lays both his hands on the mat in front of them.
Kanpei.It was a serious fault of mine that I failed to be present when the great misfortune befell our lord; and for it I have not a word to say in excuse. But I humbly beg you, gentlemen, to intercede for me sothat my offence may be pardoned and I may be permitted to attend on the anniversary of our lord’s demise, together with others of our clan.
Recitative.He speaks in humble supplication.
Goemon.Master Yuranosuke was first much pleased that you, aroninwithout any means, should have offered so much money towards the cost of the monument; but the monument is to be placed in our lord’s burial-ground, and as it was felt that it would not please our lord’s spirit to use for building the monument the money of one who has been disloyal and faithless to him, the money is returned to you unopened.
Recitative.While Goemon is yet speaking, Yagoro takes the money from his bosom and lays it before Kanpei. In his confusion, he is almost out of his senses; and the mother comes forward with tears.
Mother.You villain, do you not see it is the retribution that has come this moment for your father’s death? Hear me, sirs. My husband, old as he was, did not think of hisown future life, but sold his daughter for his son-in-law’s sake; and as he was coming home with the money, he lay in wait for him and killed him as you see. That was the money he stole, and as long as there is a Heaven above us, such money can surely be of no use. And there is neither God nor Buddha if this robber and parricide escapes unpunished. Strike this undutiful fellow with your swords and kill him inch by inch, sirs. I cannot control my anger.
Recitative.She throws herself on the floor and weeps. Astonished at these words, the two men take their swords and press upon either side of Kanpei.
Yagoro.Kanpei, I did not tell you to atone for your offence with money got unjustly and with cruelty. It would be useless to speak of the way of knighthood to an inhuman fellow like you. The felon who murders his father-in-law whom he should treat like his own father and robs him of his money, deserves to be spitted with a spear. I will take the duty upon myself.
Recitative.And he glares upon him.
Goemon.Righteous men are warned that even in thirst they should not drink of the robber’s spring. Can the money you stole by murdering your father-in-law be spent in our lord’s cause? Marvellous is Yuranosuke’s penetration when he rejected your money since he saw it was obtained by you who are by nature disloyal and faithless. But what we most deplore is that this matter will become known in the world; and when it is reported that Hayano Kanpei, a retainer of Enya Hangwan, did a most inhuman and cruel deed, it will not only be a shame to yourself, but it will be a stain upon our lord’s fair name. Fool that you are, did you not know as much? You were not formerly so lacking in understanding; what devil has now entered into your heart?
Recitative.Tears float in his keen eyes. Kanpei can no longer endure it when he is thus pressed with these clear reasonings, and baring his shoulders, he draws his dirk and instantly plunges it into his bowels.
Kanpei.Ah, I am ashamed to appear before you. I was prepared to kill myself ifmy desire could not be attained. Since the murder of my father-in-law will, you say, be a stain upon our lord’s name, I will tell you all. Hear me, gentlemen. Last night, on my way home after meeting Master Yagoro, I came across a wild boar in the dark running on the hill, and I sent two shots after it. I ran up to it and groped for it, and found that I had killed, not a boar, but a traveller. Great Heavens, thought I, I have made a terrible mistake! I felt in his bosom for some medicine, and caught hold of a pouch with this money in it. It was not right, I knew, but I felt that Heaven had given me the money; and so I ran off at once and handed it to Master Yagoro. And when I came home, I found that it was my father-in-law that I had killed and the money was the price of my wife’s virtue. When everything I do thus goes awry like the cross-bill’s beak, it shows that Kanpei’s knightly fortune has come to an end. Oh, sympathise with me, gentlemen.
Recitative.There are tears of mortification in his blood-shot eyes. On hearinghis account, Yagoro stands up, and turning the dead body round, he examines the wound.
Yagoro.Master Goemon, look at this. Though it looks like a gunshot wound, it is a cut made by scooping with a sword. Ah, you have acted rashly, Kanpei.
Recitative.The wounded man looks up with a start, and the mother, too, is astonished.
Goemon.That reminds me, Master Senzaki. As you yourself saw, we came upon a traveller lying dead with a gunshot wound on our way hither. Upon nearer approach, we found he was Ono Sadakuro, the villain whom even his avaricious father, Kudayu, had to disown. It was said that having nowhere to go, he had turned a highwayman. There is no doubt that the murderer of Kanpei’s father-in-law was no other than he.
Mother.What, was it then somebody else that murdered the old man?
Recitative.The mother clings to Kanpei.
Mother.See, I clasp my hands to you and entreat you. It was all my fault thatI should have abused you from my old complaining heart. Please, forgive me, Kanpei, and do not, do not die.
Recitative.As she entreats with tears, he raises his head.
Kanpei.Now my mother’s suspicions are dispelled and my name is cleared. I will take this thought with me to the other world and overtaking my father-in-law, accompany him over the Mountain of Death and across the Three-streamed River.
Recitative.He plunges his dirk deeper and turns it round.
Goemon.Ah, wait a while. That you revenged your father-in-law’s death without knowing it, shows that your knightly fortune is not yet at an end. By the mercy of the God of War, you have done a meritorious deed, Kanpei, and there is something I wish to show you secretly while you breathe.
Recitative.He takes a scroll from his bosom and deftly unrolls it.
Goemon.This is the covenant signed by the confederates who have sworn to slay our lord’s enemy, Kono Moronao.
Recitative.Before he has done reading it, Kanpei calls out in his agony.
Kanpei.What are their names?
Goemon.We are forty-five in all. Since we have seen your spirit, we will add your name and then we shall be forty-six. Take this as a souvenir to the other world.
Recitative.He takes out an ink-and-brush case from his bosom and writes down Kanpei’s name.
Goemon.Seal it with your blood, Kanpei.
Kanpei.Right willingly.
Recitative.He cuts his belly in a cross and pulling out his entrails, presses them under his name.
Kanpei.Now I have sealed it with my blood. Ah, how glad, how thankful I am! My desire is attained. Mother, do not lament, I pray you. Neither my father-in-law’s death nor my wife’s service has been in vain. Please, take this money for our confederates’ use.
Recitative.With tears the mother places before the two men the two packages of money and the pouch.
Mother.This pouch into which Kanpei’sspirit has entered, please, look upon it as my son-in-law and let it accompany you when you go to attack the enemy.
Goemon.Yes, that is a natural request.
Recitative.Goemon takes the money.
Goemon.Now enter into Buddhist happiness.
Kanpei.Buddhist happiness! Loathsome are the words. I will not die, no, I will not die. My spirit shall remain on earth and follow the attack upon our enemy.
Recitative.He speaks now with agony. The mother is bathed in tears.
Mother.I wish I could, Kanpei, let my daughter know of this and see you once more before you die.
Kanpei.No, mother. Her father’s death she may know of, but of mine never a word, I beg. The wife who was sold for her lord’s sake, if she should, on hearing of this, neglect her service, it would be the same as if she were disloyal to her lord. Only leave it as it is. I have now nothing I regret to leave behind.
Recitative.With the tip of his dirk hepierces his throat and, falling forward, he dies.
Mother.What, are you dead already, my son? Ah, is there in this world another as luckless as I? My husband is dead, my son-in-law to whom I turned for help, has gone before me, and my dearest daughter lives separated from me. This aged mother who is left alone behind, ah, how can she remain alive? O husband, Yoichibei, please, take me with you.
Recitative.She flings herself upon the body and cries. Again she stands up.
Illustration: Crying elderly woman; two samurai walking away
Mother.O my son, I will go with you.
Recitative.She clings to the body andsinks on the floor. She weeps there and here she weeps. With a loud cry she sinks and laments at the top of her voice. It is a sight pitiful to behold. Goemon stands up.
Goemon.Come, old mother, it is natural that you should cry; but Master Oboshi will be highly pleased when I tell him in detail how Kanpei died and hand the money he has offered. This money which I have here round my neck, a hundredryoin all, I give you to offer prayers and hold services for the repose of the souls of your husband and son-in-law. Now, farewell, fare you well.
Recitative.Tears in the eyes that gaze on and tears in the eyes that look back, they part, alas, in a flood of tears.
[1]The God of Rice, whose messenger is the fox, to which popular superstition ascribes supernatural powers.
[2]About ten o’clock.
RECITATIVE.
Would you amuse yourself with flowers, gather the fair ones of Gion. There, to the east, south, north, and west, it shines as brightly as if the Amida’s Paradise were gilded over and over again. The bright array of dancers and other women would deprive the genteelest of his senses and make him no better than a dunce.
(Enter Ono Kudayu and Sagisaka Bannai).
Kudayu.Please, show me in. Is not the host in? Host, host.
Host.How busy I am kept! What fellow is it? Who is the gentleman? Ah, Master Ono Kudayu! You asking to be shown in, why, you surprise me.
Kudayu.No, I have brought a gentleman who comes here for the first time. You appear to be in great bustle. Have you a room that I can take the gentleman into?
Host.Oh, yes, sir. The wealthy Mr.Yura has this evening had all the well-known women brought together so that the rooms on the ground floor are completely occupied; but the out-room is vacant.
Kudayu.That, I suppose, is full of cobwebs.
Host.There you are, sarcastic as usual.
Kudayu.No, I mean that at my age I must take care not to be caught in women’s toils.
Host.Now that is too much. I cannot leave you down here; and so up the stairs with you. Hi, waitresses, bring lights, wine-cups, and tobacco-trays.
Recitative.As he calls out in a loud voice, the sounds of drums andsamisen[1]are heard within.
Kudayu.What do you think, Master Bannai? Do you see how Yuranosuke is carrying on?
Bannai.Master Kudayu, I think he must be mad. Though we received many private reports from you, even my master Moronao did not believe he was so far gone as thatand told me to come up to the Capital and inquire, and to let him know at once if there was any cause for suspicion Well, well, I am now quite convinced that you were right. And his son Rikiya, what has become of him?
Kudayu.The fellow comes here sometimes and is as dissipated as his father. What puzzles me is that they feel no reserve before each other. I came here this evening determined to get to the very bottom of the affair. I will speak to you privately. Now, let us go upstairs.
Bannai.After you.
Kudayu.Then, come this way.
Recitative.A song is heard within.
“Though your heart is cold to me,Your lips that move in sweet pretence of loveAre adept in flattery.”
“Though your heart is cold to me,Your lips that move in sweet pretence of loveAre adept in flattery.”
“Though your heart is cold to me,Your lips that move in sweet pretence of loveAre adept in flattery.”
“Though your heart is cold to me,
Your lips that move in sweet pretence of love
Are adept in flattery.”
(Enter Yazama Jutaro, Senzaki Yagoro, and Takemori Kitahachi).
Jutaro.Master Yagoro and Master Kitahachi, this is the tea-house Ichiriki, where Master Yuranosuke takes his pleasure. Oh, Heiyemon, we will call you when the time comes. Go and wait in the kitchen.
Heiyemon.Yes, sir. I beg you will speak for me.
Jutaro.Will some one please come to the door?
Waitress.Yes, sir; and who are you?
Jutaro.Oh, we have come on business to Master Yuranosuke. Go in and tell him that we are Yazama Jutaro, Senzaki Yagoro, and Takemori Kitahachi; that though we sent messengers several times asking him to come to us, he would not return home and so we have all three repaired hither and beg him to see us as we have something on which we must consult him. Please, do not forget to tell him.
Waitress.Then I am sorry for you, for he has kept drinking since the third of the moon and even if you saw him, you will find he is not in his senses. His usual spirit is gone.
Jutaro.Do you hear that, Master Yagoro?
Yagoro.Yes, I hear and am astonished. I thought at first that it was a scheme to put the enemy off the scent; but now he gives himself too much to pleasures and I cannot understand it.
Kitahachi.Is it not as I said? Has not his spirit changed completely? Let us break into his room and......
Yagoro.No, no, let us first speak to him.
Kitahachi.Very well; then we will wait here.
Jutaro.Well, but please say to him as I told you.
Illustration: Blindfolded Yuranosuke and two women
Waitress.Yes, sir.
Women.Come where I clap my hands; here I clap them.
Yuranosuke.I’ll catch you; I’ll catch you.
Women.Not yet, not yet, Blindman Yura.
Yuranosuke.I’ll catch you and make you drink. Here, I’ve caught you. Now for wine. Bring the wine-holder.
Jutaro.No, Master Yuranosuke, I am Yazama Jutaro. What are you going to do?
Yuranosuke.Great Heavens, I have made a mistake!
Woman.Oh, we are sorry. What fierce-looking samurai they are, Miss Sakae! Are they his friends?
Sakae.I suppose so. They all look very dreadful.
Jutaro.Ah, you women. We have come on business to Master Oboshi, and we should like you to leave us for a while.
Woman.I thought it would be so.
Sakae.Master Yura, we will go in, and you will come soon. We leave you, sirs.
Jutaro.Master Yuranosuke, I am Yazama Jutaro.
Kitahachi.And I, Takemori Kitahachi.
Yagoro.And I, Senzaki Yagoro, wait upon you. Are you now awake?
Yuranosuke.You are all welcome, gentlemen. And why........
Jutaro.When shall we start for Kamakura?
Yuranosuke.Well, then it is an important thing you come to ask me. Says the song inTamba no Yosaku:[2]“When you go to the City of Yedo....” Ha, ha, ha! Pardon me; I am talking foolishly.
Jutaro.No, wine reveals a man’s true character. If you are not in your right senses, we three will make you sober.
Heiyemon.Oh, do not act rashly. As I should like, by your leave, to say a few words, pray, wait a while. Master Yuranosuke, I am Teraoka Heiyemon. It gives me great joy to see Your Honour in such excellent health.
Yuranosuke.Humph, Teraoka Heiyemon? Ah, yes. You are the light-footedashigaru:[3], who was sent on an errand to the North?
Heiyemon.The same, sir. When I heard in the North of our lord’s death, I was amazed and hurried home on wings; but on the way I was told that his domain had been confiscated and his retainers dispersed, and great was my indignation. Though I am but anashigaru, I am bound no less than others in gratitude to our lord. I went to Kamakura to cut down at a stroke his enemy Moronao; for three months I disguised myself as an outcast and prowled after him; but he was so well guarded that I could not approach him. I felt I could only disembowel myself; but I thought of my parents in my country home and thither I trudged in deep dejection. And then—surely it was Heaven that told me—I heard that you gentlemen had signed a covenant for the league. How glad, how thankful I was! Leaving everythingbehind me, I ran to these gentlemen’s inn and begged them to intercede for me. They called me a brave fellow, a fine fellow, and promised to plead for me to the Chief. And relying upon their words, I have followed them to-day. Moronao’s mansion.......
Yuranosuke.Ah, wait, wait. Why, you are not light of foot, but very, very light of tongue. Why do you not become a jester? Well, I did feel indignant in a slight degree and form a league of forty or fifty men. But what of that? I pondered upon it. If we fail, off our heads will go; and if we succeed, we must cut our bellies. Either way there was but death for us; it was like taking a decoction and then hanging ourselves. As for you, you are anashigaruwith a salary of fiveryoand three men’s rations. Now do not be angry. For you who received no more than a dole we might give to a begging priest, to throw away your life for vengeance upon our enemy, why, you might as well give a grand dancing performance in return for a present of a few seaweeds. My stipend was fifteen hundredkoku; and compared withyou, I might take the enemy’s heads by the bushel and yet not be on a level with you. And so we gave it up. Do you see? Such is the way of the world. And when I hear music goingtsutsuten, tsutsuten, tsutsuten,I can hardly contain myself.
Heiyemon.I cannot imagine that these are Your Honour’s words. To me who received only three men’s rations and yourself with fifteen hundredkoku, the life that keeps us in this world is the same, and there is no difference in our gratitude to our lord. But what we cannot disregard is the lineage. I know it is rude, it is impudent for a fellow of no worth like me to beg to be allowed to join gentlemen of rank who were qualified to act as our lord’s deputy. I should be like a monkey mimicking a man; but I will carry your sandals, your boxes, or anything, if only you will take me with you. I entreat you, sir; please, Your Honour, Your Honour. What, he appears to have fallen asleep.
Kitahachi.Come, Heiyemon, do not waste more words; for Yuranosuke is as good as dead. Master Yazama, Master Senzaki,we have now seen his true spirit, and let us act as we agreed.
Yagoro.Yes, as a warning to our confederates. Are you ready?
Recitative.As they close in, Heiyemon stays their hands and approaches them.
Heiyemon.Pray, stop a moment, sirs. As I turn it over and over in my mind, it seems to me that the many difficulties he has encountered in his wish to avenge his lord’s death after he parted from him and his indignation at people’s slanders when anxiety besets him on all sides, these he has borne in silence, and he could not under these burdens have lived on till now if he had not kept drinking. Take your measures when he has become sober again.
Recitative.He stops them against their will and accompanies them within. Their shadows disappear behind the well-lighted sliding-screens.
Oneriand a half westward from Yamashina runs Yuranosuke’s son Rikiya, all breathless; and peeping within, he sees his father lying asleep unconscious of all around him.If he calls him, he will be heard by others; and so coming close to his pillow, he gently strikes his sword-guard against the hilt. Suddenly Yuranosuke rises.
Yuranosuke.Oh, is it you, Rikiya? Did you sound the sword-guard because you have urgent business? Quietly, speak quietly.
Illustration: Kneeling Rikiya handing package to Yuranosuke
Rikiya.An express messenger has just brought a secret letter from Lady Kaoyo.
Yuranosuke.Was there no verbal message, besides?
Rikiya.Our enemy Kono Moronao’s application for permission to return to his province has been granted and he will shortly start for home. The message added that the particulars would be found in the letter.
Yuranosuke.Very well. You will go home and send a palanquin for me in the night. Now, go.
Recitative.Without a moment’s hesitation, he runs back towards Yamashina. Anxious to see what the letter might say, Yuranosuke is about to open it, when Kudayu calls to him.
Kudayu.Master Oboshi, Master Yura, it is Ono Kudayu. I wish to see you.
Yuranosuke.Ah, it is a long, long time; we have not met for a year, and have grown old, very old. Have you come here to stretch out those wrinkles on your forehead? Oh, you old reprobate!
Kudayu.Master Yura, in a great deed, they say, little defects are overlooked. Your dissipation here in defiance of evil tongueswill be the foundation of your great deed. I think you a fine man of great promise.
Yuranosuke.Ha, ha, you drive me hard, hard as a catapult. But leave it alone.
Kudayu.No, Master Yuranosuke, don’t sham. Your dissipation really looks like a scheme to attack the enemy.
Yuranosuke.You surprise me. But thank you. I thought you would laugh at me as a fool and a madman for taking to pleasures when I am over forty years of age; but no, you look upon it as a scheme to attack the enemy. Master Kudayu, I am delighted.
Kudayu.Have you, then, no intention of avenging our lord’s death?
Yuranosuke.Not a jot, not a jot. When we handed over the mansion and the domain, I said I would die fighting in the castle; but that was only said to please Lady Kaoyo. You left the room at the time, saying that we were acting like rebels to the Shogun; and after that, we swaggered on, fools that we were; but we could not come to a decision. We said we would slay ourselves before our lord’s tomb, and we stole out by the backgate. It is entirely owing to you that I am now enjoying these gay pleasures. I do not forget our old friendship. Don’t be so formal, but be more at ease.
Kudayu.Yes, as I think of it, I, too, was a hypocrite in the old days. I will show my true nature and drink with you. Come, Master Yura, it is a long time since we drank together. Give me your cup; are you going to ask it back as they do at parties? Go on pouring and I’ll drink, and go on drinking and I’ll pour. Accept this fish that I am going to give you.
Recitative.He takes up a piece of octopus that he sees beside him and places it before Yuranosuke.
Yuranosuke.I put out my hand to receive the octopus’ foot. Thank you.
Recitative.As he raises it to his head and is about to eat it, Kudayu takes hold of his hand.
Kudayu.Hear me, Master Yuranosuke; to-morrow will be the anniversary of our Lord Enya Hangwan’s demise. They say that the eve of that day should be especially keptholy; and yet will you eat this fish without hesitation?
Yuranosuke.Yes, certainly. Or is it that you have had tidings that our Lord Enya has turned into an octopus? What a querulous man you are, to be sure! You and I areroninnow because of Lord Enya’s indiscretion. I may bear him grudge; but I have not the least wish to abstain from animal food on his account. I eat with great pleasure the fish you are good enough to give me.
Recitative.And he coolly eats it at a mouthful; and the crafty Kudayu is so astonished that he remains speechless.
Yuranosuke.With such poor fish we cannot drink. We will have a fowl killed and broiled. Come with me within and we will make the women sing.
Recitative.He goes staggering in exhilaration. Music is heard within.
Yuranosuke.You little vixens, see if I don’t make you drunk.
Recitative.Amid the noise he goes in. Sagisaka Bannai, who has been watching the whole time, comes downstairs.
Bannai.Master Kudayu, I have been carefully observing. From one who does not refrain from animal food on the anniversary of his master’s death, revenge is not to be dreamt of. I will report it to my master Moronao and make him open the gates that he keeps strictly guarded.
Kudayu.Yes, there is no longer need for guard. See, he has forgotten his sword.
Bannai.Indeed! it truly proves what a great fool he is. Let us look at this soul of a samurai. Why, it is rusted all over.
Kudayu.Ha, ha, ha! It shows his true nature more clearly still; and you may now rest at ease. Let Kudayu’s servants bring his palanquin.
Recitative.They bring the palanquin.
Kudayu.Now, Master Bannai, please, get in.
Bannai.You are old; please, get in.
Kudayu.Then, by your leave.
Recitative.He gets in.
Bannai.By the bye, Master Kudayu, I hear Kanpei’s wife is in service here. Do you not know her? Master Kudayu, Master Kudayu.
Recitative.He receives no answer.
Bannai.This is strange!
Recitative.He lifts the screen of the palanquin and sees inside a fair-sized stepping-stone.
Bannai.What is this? Has Kudayu turned into a Matsura[4]Sayo-hime?
Illustration: Bannai peering into palanquin that contains a large stone
Recitative.As he looks around, he hears a voice from under the verandah.
Kudayu.Here, Master Bannai. I have slipped out of the palanquin, because the letterthat Rikiya brought a while ago makes me uneasy. I will watch and let you know afterwards. Do you walk by the palanquin as if I were still in it.
Bannai.Very well.
Recitative.He nods and slowly walks by the palanquin as if there were some one in it. On the upper floor appears Okaru, Kanpei’s wife, to cool her flushed face. She is already used to her new life, and she cheers her spirits in the breeze that blows towards her.
Yuranosuke.I shall come back directly. I, a samurai, have forgotten to bring my precious sword. While I am away, hang straight thekakemonoand put some charcoal in the brazier.
Okaru.Oh, take care, you must not tread on thatsamisenthere and break it.
Yuranosuke.Dear me, Kudayu appears to have gone.
Recitative.A song is heard within.
“Some one calls out close to his ear:‘O father mine and mother dear!’He looks around in great surprise,And, lo, a parrot meets his eyes.It was his wife that taught the birdTo speak the tender words he heard.”
“Some one calls out close to his ear:‘O father mine and mother dear!’He looks around in great surprise,And, lo, a parrot meets his eyes.It was his wife that taught the birdTo speak the tender words he heard.”
“Some one calls out close to his ear:‘O father mine and mother dear!’He looks around in great surprise,And, lo, a parrot meets his eyes.It was his wife that taught the birdTo speak the tender words he heard.”
“Some one calls out close to his ear:
‘O father mine and mother dear!’
He looks around in great surprise,
And, lo, a parrot meets his eyes.
It was his wife that taught the bird
To speak the tender words he heard.”
Recitative.YuranosukeIllustration: Okaru sitting holding a mirrorlooks around and, by the light of the hanging lantern, he reads Lady Kaoyo’s letter which tells in detail the enemy’s condition. Being a woman’sIllustration: Yuranosuke reading a long letter; Kudayu reads it hidden below the deckletter with many redundant phrases he cannot read it quickly. Thinking with envy that it is a letter from some loved woman, Okaru looks down; but she cannot distinguish the characters in the dim light. She thinks of her metal mirror; and bringing it out, she reads the letter by its reflection. Little dreams Yuranosuke, being no god, thatunder the verandah Kudayu is reading the same letter by the moonlight as it unrolls and hangs down. Okaru’s hair-pin comes loose and falls on the ground. At the sound Yuranosuke looks up and hides the letter behind him; under the verandah Kudayu is still in smiles; and on the upper floor Okaru conceals her mirror.
Okaru.Is it you, Master Yura?
Yuranosuke.And you, Okaru? What are you doing there?
Okaru.You gave me so much to drink and I feel so dizzy that I came here to cool myself in the breeze and drive away the effects.
Yuranosuke.Oh, Okaru, I have something to say to you. With you over there, we are as if on the opposite sides of the Milky Way[5]and I cannot speak to you from here. Will you not come down for a moment?
Okaru.What you want to tell me, is it something you wish to ask?
Yuranosuke.Well, something of the sort.
Okaru.I will come round.
Yuranosuke.No, no. If you go round by the stairs, the waitresses will catch you and make you drink again.
Okaru.What shall I do?
Yuranosuke.Oh, see, happily here is a nine-runged ladder. Please, come down by it.
Recitative.He leans it against the eaves of the lower floor.
Okaru.This ladder is not of the ordinary make. Oh, I am afraid. Somehow it looks dangerous.
Yuranosuke.Never mind, never mind. In the old days you might have been afraid or shrunk away from a ladder. But now you are old enough to come down three steps at a time.
Okaru.Don’t talk foolishly. It feels like being in a boat; I am afraid. If you will not keep quiet, I will not come down.
Yuranosuke.If you will not, I will bring you down.
Okaru.Oh, there you are again at your tricks!
Yuranosuke.You are noisy as a little miss. I will catch you from behind.
Recitative.He catches her from behind and puts her on the ground.
Yuranosuke.Now, did you see anything?
Okaru.Oh, n-n-no.
Yuranosuke.I am sure you saw.
Okaru.Yes, something that looked like an interesting letter.
Yuranosuke.Did you read it all from over there?
Okaru.Oh, how tiresome!
Yuranosuke.Then your life is in danger.
Okaru.What are you talking of?
Yuranosuke.What I am talking of, Okaru? Though it is a stale thing to say, I am in love with you. Will you not be my wife?
Okaru.Oh, stop. That is not true.
Yuranosuke.Well, truth will not take root unless it comes out of falsehood. Say you will be my wife.
Okaru.No, I will not.
Yuranosuke.Why not?
Okaru.Because what you say is not truth that comes out of falsehood, but falsehood that is founded on truth.
Yuranosuke.Okaru, I will redeem you.
Okaru.What?
Yuranosuke.To prove that it is not a falsehood, I will buy you out this very night.
Okaru.But I have a ......
Yuranosuke.If you have a lover, I will let you marry him.
Okaru.But are you in earnest?
Yuranosuke.It is the samurai’s benevolence. After I have kept you by me for three days, you may do as you please.
Okaru.Ah, how glad I am! I believe when you have made me say that, you are going to laugh at me.
Yuranosuke.No, I will go and pay your master at once and settle the matter this moment. So do not be anxious, but wait here for me.
Okaru.Then, I will wait for you.
Yuranosuke.While I go and pay the money, be sure you do not move from this spot. You are now my wife.
Okaru.And that too, only for three days.
Yuranosuke.Yes, I know.
(Yuranosuke goes in).
Okaru.I am grateful to you.
Recitative.A song is heard within.