University of Virginia Library

Scene 1.

An open public place in Kyôtô, upon which abuts a broad newly-built bridge, of red lacquer and gilding. The bridge and neighbouring buildings are gaily decorated with national flags and painted lanterns. Crowds of citizens, in various dress, throng the approaches, which are kept by armed men.
Enters Sakamune, apart; in full Samurai costume.
Sakamune.
What is't the grey-beards mean by “happiness”?—
Time was I thought no peace could be, no joy,
Outside the amber arms of Adzuma;
That all the days of all my richest years
Would be well pawned to buy one night with her,
Spent in a million kisses on her mouth.
But now another joy! a different joy!
The hunter's, not the lover's—yet as great,
Oh, greater, keener, deeper; tingling more
The vigilant sense—for I shall see to-day
Destiny dance while I do pipe. He—she—
Will blindly meet, eagle-hot Morito,
And subtle, lovely, snake-bright Adzuma
Whose beauty—will she, nill she—draws men's hearts
As on a bank in Spring the mamushi
Brings round her shining coils the dazzled birds.
What's after, I will heed: enough to-day
The snare's spread, and here comes my witless prey!

Enters Morito, armed, and splendidly apparelled.
Morito.

Is all well-set? Are our soldiers posted?
Have the roadways for the procession been sprinkled
with fresh sand and flowers? And the upper rooms

of the houses,—are they cleared of such as would dare
to stand higher than the Son of Heaven?

Saka.

All the worshipful commands have been fulfilled.

Mor.

Bare thy bright sword, then, Sakamune, and
lay it across thy knee. Good lieges, all, Shita ni oru!
Down upon your faces, quick! for the Majesty of
Japan cometh.

[The populace prostrates itself, and the Imperial Procession enters by the bridge; the Emperor riding in a gilded and painted kago, borne by footmen, fantastically attired; the Ladies of the palace, Court Nobles, Samurai, Attendants, Dancing Girls, &c., &c., following. Banners, hatamochi, &c., &c.
A troop of young Girls dance the Echigo-jishi, with accompanying song and chorus.]
Chorus.
A junk came in with silks and spice,
Oh, the land of Japan is long!
My lover is hoeing the rows of the rice,
What shall we sing for a song? &c., &c.

[At the departure of the Imperial train, the citizens raise loyal cries of “banzai! banzai!” (“May you live ten thousand years!”) and, amongst the departing crowd, Adzuma and her Mother, with their attendants, are seen entering their kago, to return home; and presently disappear by the bridge. Sakamune and Morito remain alone.]
Sakamune.

Come, my Lord Morito! It is well performed!
Deign now to wash the dust of the vulgar
from thy throat with a cup of red-fish saké, in my
quarters.

Morito.

Sakamune! Sawest thou yonder Lady?

Saka.

What Lady, Trifler!

Mor.

Why, her! her!—that most lovely woman
who passed hence a moment ago in her chair?

Saka.

Nay, indeed, I saw none. Yet, again, that is
false, for I saw scores, hundreds! Naruhodo! Every
petticoat in the City was out upon us, I think, to
gaze at the show.

Mor.

Aho! nonsense! This one was to all the

others as the full moon to a paper-lantern, as the
white crane on Arashiyama to the sparrow in the
bamboos; as, as, as—

Saka.

Good Morito! hath a flash from some black
eye pierced at last that corselet where an enemy's
point could never yet find its way? We thought you
proof against such light assaults.

Mor.

If thou didst not mark her, it matters not.
But I must know her name, and house. I will ride
after them. Take back the soldiers for me, and bid an
officer lead my horse to the lane of the persimmon-tree,
for she passed thereby.

Saka.

Kashi komarishita! I obey! [Aside]
Now
fluttereth my foolish eagle straight to his poisoned
meat!

[Exit Sakamune.

Mor.
[alone.]
Have I my selfsame eyesight, reason, will?
Am I that man who this morn buckled on,
Over a careless heart, breast-piece and belt
Whose tough steel hardly keeps the beat of the heart
From bursting them this hour? Oh She! but She!
Was ever such form seen, such heavenly grace,
Such eyes of loveliest light beneath a brow
So even-arched, so smoothly shadowing back
Into that twilight, where the black silk hair
Shuts in the soft fair face? Yet 'twas not that!
Something beyond her glorious beauty drew.
Where have I seen her? In what spot before
Were we encountered? Nowhere!—Once beheld
Would be to be in mind for aye. What voice
Whispers me, then, that she is Destiny?
I rave, and waste my words: but I must go
Whither she goes, be it for weal or woe!
[Exit Morito.