 | Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife |  |
Scene 3.
Night-time. A lane of bamboos in the outskirts of Kyôtô.Enter Wataru armed, with two attendants. One carries a package.
Wataru.
Give me the Emperor's packet. I do
not greatly like this place at night for those that are
upon honest business.
1st Attendant.
Methought I spied the shine of
a lantern just now, my Lord, in the thorn-bushes
yonder.
Aye! we had done wiser, perchance, to pass
with more help through this wolf's mouth. Give me
the bag, I say, and look that your swords are free in
their scabbards.
[Noises are heard.]
2nd Attend.
Oh, Sir! I am hit in the side with
an arrow.
Wat.
Stand fast, now, with your backs to this
clump. We will make it warm work for the knaves.
[A rush of armed robbers takes place upon the little party. Sharp fighting ensues, in which one of Wataru's men falls dead, and the other is wounded, while several of the robbers are put hors de combat.]
1st Att.
Master! Good Sir! look to yourself. My
fellow is slain, and I can give you help no longer.
Wat.
Lie safe here between my feet. They shall
not come at thee, nor at the charge we carry, while
this blade can bite.
[He strikes dead an assailant.]
grass by thy blood. Now for another,—and
another!
[He wounds two more, but is very hard pressed, when Morito enters, with an armed servant. They engage the robbers.]
Mor.
Hott, hott! A knight of the Court beset,
and at long odds! Stand behind me a moment, Sir!
and take your breath, while I carve my swordmaker's
name on these scoundrels.
Wat.
Nay, but I will stand at thy side, valiant
gentleman! 'Tis a new sword-arm to me to see thee.
Naruhodo! well struck!
[Morito hews a robber
down, and the rest take to flight.]
The rogues are
all away. They have stomach for no more steel!
Mor.
Are you hurt, Sir?
Wat.
Not a scratch, but one of my poor servants
is, I fear, dead, and the other sorely wounded. You
have saved, Sir! the Emperor's private letters and
grateful servant Wataru Watanabe.
Mor.
Wataru!
Wat.
The same, albeit more scant of breath than
is wont with him. Most welcome friend! I beseech
you raise your face-piece that I may see the man
whom I must henceforth love.
Mor.
Be pleased to pardon me. I desire not to be
known.
Wat.
You are as modest, Sir, as you are brave,
which is to say much.
Mor.
It is not that, Sir! Indeed I do not
deserve your praise. Any soldier would do as I
did.
Wat.
Came you by hazard, then, upon my one-handed
battle?
Mor.
By hazard only, Lord Wataru; I and my
servant were returning to the city.
Had you dropped from Heaven, it could not
have been more timely.
Mor.
I am glad—and sorry! Beseech you, let
me pass unquestioned. The way is safe now,
and I will send those who shall succour your
man.
Wat.
I would dare believe I know your voice,
gallant Sir! This is a service, look you, done to
the Emperor's Majesty, who will demand of me the
name of so worthy a knight. Suffer me to be able
to extol you to him.
Mor.
Of your kindness hold me excused! By
your honourable leave I will now sheathe my sword,
and be gone.
Wat.
Ah! that sword! Surely I remember the
hilt! If it be now in its master's hand,—and more
other in Japan could so well wield it—you are Morito
Musha Endo.
[uncovering his face.]
Since you will know
me, Wataru, it must be so. I am Morito.
Wat.
Now can I tell of thy valour in the Court;
as well as of thy knightly silence. If thou must
depart, take with thee my truest thanks. Nay, I pray
thee, if thou goest to-morrow to the Maple-valley,
deign entrance into my tent there, and drink a cup
of rice-wine with us; when Adzuma, my wife, shall
speak better gratitude for me. I must now lead my
poor vassal to a shelter.
[Exit Wataru, supporting his servant.
Mor.
[wiping his sword blade and slowly sheathing it.]
Sword! thou hast paid thy master's heavy debt;
For that his better part gives thee good praise;
Sword! thou hast saved the life which, like a stream,
Runs broad and strong between my love and me,
Ah dearest, deadliest beauty! Hoped I not
That this Lord's wife would fain be fere of mine
Then,—at that minute,—when his heart was large
With generous heat, I would have caught his neck
And cried: “Help me! if I have holpen thee!
Take now my blade and stretch me stark and dead
With these less guilty carcasses; or take
Thy wife away out of my eyes, and ways,
And mind and life, lest I go mad for her.”
Then Sword! I could have worn thee worthy still,
But now what must and will be—must, and will!
| Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife | |