 | Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife |  |
Scene 2.
Garden of Adzuma's house, with Pavilion opening upon it. Adzuma is sitting upon the mats there with her maids, O Yoshi and O Tama.Adzuma.
Our bravest garments, Girls! We'll not be shamed
Even by maple-leaves. To-morrow falls
The great feast in the groves of momiji
Where all the city flocks to see the year
Put on its autumn dress, golden and green,
Scarlet and purple, saffron, russet, rose:
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If all men lived as those should live who own
A house to dwell in, so embellishëd.
O Tama.
Okusâma! What robe shall we lay for you?
Adz.
The pearl-grey one with obi of pink silk
Sewn with white stars, because my Lord likes that;
But you, my Tama! You, O Yoshi San!
Be splendid like the autumn butterflies,
Like Autumn's self, though 'tis your time of Spring:
Fetch forth such silks, such crapes, such girdle-cloths
Jiban, and kanzashi, the maple-leaves
Shall flutter out of jealousy. My girls!
We will be glad and gay. Wataru comes.
Be sure you take my writing-box and reeds;
I shall make poetry.
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Madam, you can
With any that are best. That last you wrote—
The uta of the moon—every one sings.
Adz.
How went it, Yoshi? play it, if you know.
O Yoshi
sings to her samisen—
“Moon of the autumn-sky!
Sentinel, silver and still,
Where are the dear ones that die?
Is it well?—is it ill?”
Adz.
Ah, Yoshi! that was in the sombre mood
Which sometimes comes upon my dreaming string;
Now all's for lightness—since my Lord returns
On honoured errand of the Emperor,
And we'll make sunshine for him in the house
And sunshine out of doors, if it be scant;
But, sure, I think a day all blue and gold
Will paint Takawo for us. Give me here
The samisen: I'll strike a happier strain.
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“I would hide my soul, as the Asajiu
In the reeds of Ono's moorlands do;
And none should know me, or see:
But the Asajiu gleam, by their blooms revealed;
And the gladness of love in my bosom concealed
Shines forth in despite of me!”
Think you my Lord took strength enough with him?
In the reeds of Ono's moorlands do;
And none should know me, or see:
But the Asajiu gleam, by their blooms revealed;
And the gladness of love in my bosom concealed
Shines forth in despite of me!”
There's an ill league to travel in those woods.
O Tama.
Dear Mistress! he is safe. What wicked men
Would stand to see Wataru's sword flash forth?
Adz.
I think so, Tama! though he had but two.
Besides, I still remember what he said:
There comes no evil to the man that's good;
So is he safe, plated against all harm
By that which cannot fear, a soul serene
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Count the slow minutes, when he is not nigh.
[Exeunt Omnes.
End of Scene 2.
| Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife | |