Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife A play in four acts |
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 | Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife |  |
Scene 1.
The Gateway of a “Yashiki,” or city mansion in Kyôtô.Enter Morito and Sakamune.
Morito.
Will you still say she cast eyes of pleasure
upon me?
Sakamune.
What else? what else?
Mor.
Since I heard the truth of Koromogawa's
ungratefulness I bear another and a more angry
mind.
Saka.
She owed you, for your father's kindness,
not Adzuma only, but her own good name, her happy
days, her easy life.
Mor.
That is so indeed. Except for my mother
temple.
Saka.
And that is a crime for the executioner.
Mor.
I have her thus at my mercy.
Saka.
Yet you would have drawn sword upon me
in the tea-house, for saying a lighter thing.
Mor.
I did not know. Forgive it! I thought kin
must be kind. It was a bitter deed to deny Adzuma
to my father's son, when Dôsen asked for her.
Saka.
Never was knight worse used. But Adzuma
had no part in it.
Mor.
Would it have fallen otherwise, had she
known?
Saka.
It must have fallen otherwise.
Mor.
Were I but sure of that, the wrath which
smoulders in me, would become flaming fury. If
she, too, might have desired me, the twenty thousand
devils of Echizen shall not keep her from my arms.
What would you do, if you had it from her
own hand that she saw a better man than Wataru
the day she met you in the Temple?
Mor.
She will never go to that.
Saka.
But if she make you know it, so that blind
eyes might read the book of her heart?
Mor.
How mean you? If Adzuma avowed it
would please her well that I had Wataru's place?
Saka.
Aye, I say that.
Mor.
Why, then I tell thee again hell should not
daunt me, nor honour hold me, nor friendship fetter
my hand; nor pity stay me for my father's sister,
who hath cheated his son. I would pluck Adzuma
from Wataru, though I soaked my sleeve in blood.
Saka.
'Tis the fitting spirit.
Mor.
Oh, but you dream.
Saka.
Some dreams come true. Have patience in
this great love, which deserveth recompense. She
place for a woman's wit to work in. Those that cage
such bright-feathered birds cannot hinder them from
singing through the bars.
Mor.
To what end are these words of hope? I
shall not even cast eyes on her again. My Aunt will
look to that.
Saka.
Sayo ka? Wilt thou, this very week, see
her face to face anew; nay, touch her robe, drink
perchance from the same cup with her?
Mor.
Ask rather whether the famished would eat.
I am mad to sit beside her once more.
Saka.
Be patient, then. Wataru comes back soon
from Nara, with treasure of the Emperor. Afterward
falls the feast in the Maple Gardens, when folks go to
gaze on the bright colours of the autumn. If I know
of a surety that Adzuma will be there, ask me not how.
For thy sake I adventure much.
Thou art a faithful friend. We will go to the
Maple Gardens.
[Exeunt Morito and Sakamune.
| Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife | |