 | Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife |  |
Scene 5.
The Court-yard of the Hase Temple of the Goddess Kwannon, at Kyôtô, showing front of the Temple, with steps leading to shrine; the praying-rope, and bell; the tank of purificatory water, &c., &c.Enter Morito and Sakamune.
Morito.
To what end dost thou bring me hither?
Sakamune.
I will answer that anon. I vexed you
sorely at the Tea-house lately. I am sorry for it.
Mor.
I was too hot. But thou spakest lightly of
one so sweet, that, seeking to forget her, I still ever
steadfastly remember. Oh, Adzuma! why did my idle
eyes ever fall upon thee?
Saka.
To take pleasure in a fair face. It is what
eyes were made for.
I have forsworn all further seeing of her. I
have received kindness from her husband, who is a
gallant and worthy knight; and Kameju says there
is no Lady in the land more cherished by her Lord,
or happier in her chastity. Oh, that the wars would
come again! I would find peace in the front of them.
Saka.
One can be a soldier without dying, and
lover without sighing. Adzuma, thou should'st know,
belongs to thee by right.
Mor.
How sayest thou that?
Saka.
You will draw blade on me if I tell the
truth.
Mor.
No! no! 'Twas when you spoke ill of my
kinswoman before those saké-bibbers.
Saka.
And if I speak ill of her again?
Mor.
Oh, say your say.
Saka.
I am foolish to be so friendly, but you shall
hear. There is none oweth more to you than your
cheated you out of payment.
Mor.
If I thought that!
Saka.
If you thought that, would you sit tamely
down, and suffer the lily planted for you to bloom in
another's garden. You—named hokumen at twenty—
would you let the fox eat what was meant for the tiger?
Mor.
No! no!
Saka.
You have seen Adzuma. You know what
has been lost—the Jewel of her time; the Star of
women; the fairest spouse that ever lay on a man's
breast. But if you have sworn patience, why should
I speak more?
Mor.
Nay, go on! go on!
Saka.
Well, then, Koromogawa, I say, owes everything
to your father. She was poor, friendless, and
the daughter of a concubine, praying daily to the
goddess for a husband. One night she fell asleep in
and bade her take the haori from a woman slumbering
beside her. She awoke, and saw, indeed, a lady sleeping
near, from whom she stole the garment, and
departed. On the road a knight was riding, Jiro
Yasuhira, who, looking in her face, courteously saluted
her, and said: “I had a dear wife, who is dead: and
I have sworn never to take another, until I found one
exactly resembling her in countenance and figure.
Last night I dreamed I should encounter such an one
dressed in a blue haori, and, in truth, you are just
like my lost wife.” Upon this Koromogawa confessed
what she had asked from the goddess, and how
she also had dreamed; after which, thinking it all the
decree of destiny, they went to Oshû together, and
Yasuhira took her for wife.
Mor.
'Twas that same Lord who slew the great
white eagle?
That same! Well! very happily dwelled
they together, until they came again to Kyôtô, and
then a little thing turned out for Koromogawa a
large matter.
Mor.
It is often so; naruhodo.
Saka.
A tame dove, pursued by a kite, flew for
refuge into Koromogawa's litter. Having rescued
and returned it, the mistress of the dove invited your
Aunt to come within and take repose; and she was
hospitably entertained by this Lady, who was none
other than Shiraito, the wife of Endo Morimitsu—your
mother. Growing friendly, your Aunt told all the
story of the dream, and of the blue haori which she
had stolen; and what shame she still felt, though it
had obtained her a husband; so that—spake she,
“I would give a thousand ryo to find the owner, and
restore it.”
Mor.
That is not like the bad spirit you alleged.
Oh, it is to you alone that she is so evil.
Shiraito inquired if the garment was of blue silk,
with gold chrysanthemums upon it, and Koromogawa
answering “Yes,” they bade a servant bring it from
the litter; whereupon, steadfastly regarding it, Shiraito
exclaimed, “That is my haori! I was she who
slumbered in the Temple!”
Mor.
Is this all certain?
Saka.
Oh, it is true. Koromogawa was both rejoiced
and ashamed. But your mother comforted her,
saying it was the way and will of the Mi-Hotoke, and
your father, Morimitsu—entering just then—made
her also courteous cheer. Presently, observing the
silver dagger which she had laid aside, he asked:
“Whence got you this?” Koromogawa replied, “It
was the keepsake of my mother, from my father,
when he sent her away.” “Right well I know it,”
said Morimitsu, “it was the parting gift of my father
How wondrously have we met! I see, indeed, in you
the features of my sire.” Presently, in came Yasuhira
also, having found out where his wife was entered;
and they all made good cheer together, and drunk the
“three cups” of relationship.
Mor.
'Tis very strange!
Saka.
Afterwards they lived affectionately in one
place, and thou wast born of Shiraito, and afterwards
Adzuma of Koromogawa. So it was designed by your
father and uncle to marry you to your cousin. But
Yasuhira died, and Morimitsu too, and the Lady
Shiraito. Your aunt alone survived; and Dôsen, your
guardian, when you came to age begged Adzuma from
her for your wife. Now 'tis certain she should have
given her.
Mor.
Why, I think that, too.
Saka.
It was a vile thing, and a wrongful—I say—
wrought her such benefits. Adzuma was bestowed
on Watanabe for his gold, and his great estates—
but she was thine by will of the dead—and thou didst
but desire thine own when thine eyes fell lately upon
her loveliness. Howbeit, since thou hast now resigned
her, our priests will praise thee, if not our soldiers.
Mor.
This is new to my ears. To all the devils
with the praise of the priests! I am not he whom
any one can wrong without paying for it.
Saka.
Nay! but Kameju hath told thee how
sweetly they dwell together—what love-beds; what
warm times; what secret comforts Wataru hath with
thy lost wife.
Mor.
Hold, Sakamune! or I shall strike thee, whom
I should rather thank. Doth Adzuma know of this?
Saka.
Not one whit! They have kept it very
heedfully from her and from thee. Had she once
colder. The bond of past existences is strong!
Mor.
Would that I might yet again gaze upon her
sweet face!
Saka.
Art in earnest? dost then, indeed, desire
that?
Mor.
As dry throats desire water; or blind eyes
light; or dying men breath.
Saka.
Why, turn thee round, then, and look who
repairs hither to prayers. I brought thee here, believing
she would come.
Enters Adzuma, with her Mother and Attendants, not perceiving Morito and Sakamune. She takes water from the Saikai font, and, washing her hands, ascends the temple-stairs, sounds the prayer-bell, and stands awhile praying before the shrine, with head bowed, and clasped palms.
Mor.
(watching her with a rapt air).
Thou marvel! thou fair joy!
From brow to foot with what's desirable!—
Thee they have stolen from me! And, what's left?
What's left—having seen such loss—but desperate will
To win thee back, though twenty furious swords
Deny; though gods forbid; though fates forecast
Sorrow, and horror, and the end in shame?
What's left—in all the lesser things on earth
Ambition, honour, greatness, pride of praise,
Pleasures of life, joy of glad battle, gold,—
Save dust and ashes, matched with that one gain
Of one good moment in those heavenly arms?
They have stol'n thee from me, star-bright Adzuma!
But I'll have back my treasure, if I thrust
Souls to perdition for my wrongful right!
Sakamune.
Good morrow! noble Ladies. To your prayers
The Gods must listen. [To Koromogawa]
'Tis your kinsman here,
Lord Morimitsu's son. [To Adzuma]
Fair Adzuma,
This is your husband's friend, Sir Morito;
The best sword of our Court.
Adz.
Hajimemashite!
I am much honoured to encounter you.
Mor.
I pray you, at this first you see of me,
To hold me in your kindness.
Adz.
I, in yours
In simple sequence, friend of Adzuma.
Mor.
I am happy with but that one word from you.
Come you with Lord Wataru, oft, to Court,
Cousin—and friend?
Koromogawa.
Nay! we are stay-at-homes,
Good Nephew, getting news of your great world
As it sifts through the shoji. Pardon us
If we crave leave: our little household waits.
Mor.
Farewell!
[Adzuma and Koromogawa walk aside with their attendants.
So have I seen Heaven's gateway gleam again!
Saka.
Gate with a key! Didst thou not mark her look?
She would have tarried, but the mother drew.
[Exeunt Morito and Sakamune.
[Adzuma and Koromogawa come forward to take departure.
Oh! Mother, in my veins I feel a thrill
As if my blood iced. What is ill with me?
Koromo.
Let us haste homeward, Daughter! This is ill,
And happens not, except by Fate's hard will.
| Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife | |