 | Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife |  |
Scene 5.
Interior of Wataru's tent. Wataru and Adzuma are discovered seated on carpets, entertaining Morito and Sakamune. The feast is served after the Japanese manner in small bowls and trays, with saké-cups and pots, a maid-servant kneeling before each guest.Adzuma.
I say it again most gratefully, Sir Morito,
it was the deed of a true and noble knight.
Morito.
Indeed, you do overpraise me.
Adz.
It cannot be overpraised. My humble words
are too poor to tell your rich desert.
Words from so sweet a mouth would make
death itself an easy thing.
Adz.
Oh, Sir! you are courteous as you are brave.
Saidst thou, Wataru San! there were still six robbers
attacking when Sir Morito drew sword?
Wataru.
I did not closely number the dogs, but
there seemed too many left for me alone. Nay, 'twas
as friendly, and as timely, and as gallant a help as
ever thou canst declare. Bring hither the saké-pot,
Adzuma! I would fain pledge you, Sir Morito, in a
cup of love.
Mor.
Beseech you, excuse me. I do not drink
to-day. I did not see your honour's countenance
in the confusion. I deserve not such high kindliness.
Wat.
It was all the more soldierly! For a friend
one risks much; but you say that you knew me not.
Oh! a cup, a cup; ippai kudasai!
Pray you, forgive me! I do not drink
to-day.
Adz.
But, Sir! you will drink a cup with me?
Mor.
[impulsively.]
Aye, Lady, if you poured me
poison!
Adz.
Truly, I love not our strong rice-wine better
than yourself. But we owe you so much!
Sakamune.
How much, madam?
Wat.
Well, Samurai! that depends upon the value
to be put on the life of your most unworthy host,
with the Emperor's letters and treasure thrown into
the account.
Mor.
I am to be too much overpaid, Lady, by the
honour of drinking from the same cup with you.
Wat.
O Yoshi! fill up the wine-cup of your
mistress.
[In receiving the cup, and holding it to be filled, Adzuma lets it fall and spill.
Adz.
Ah, my stupidity! Be pleased to grant me
shake so.
[Koromogawa calls from within: “Adzuma! Adzuma!”]
Nay, mother! anon.
[Sakamune whispers Morito in the ear.]
Mor.
O Yoshi San! fill again the Lady Adzuma's
cup.
Adz.
No, Sir! your gracious forgiveness. I, too,
will not now drink. I have a strange feeling at my
heart, Wataru. Ask the honourable guests to allow
my departure.
Saka.
Our loss will be great, Lady! You are a
renowned poetess, and I was dying to inquire if you
have wrought any little thing to-day for our city
samisens, in honour of the maples?
Adz.
Oya! oya! I made, indeed, a very trifling
tanzaku—a foolish verselet upon the colours of the
autumn.
If we might but hear it, before you go; it
would be better than the cakes and saké.
Adz.
I am ashamed. I wrote such a thing, and
hung it on the tree by the stream, but a gust of wind
carried it away.
Wat.
Then you also, Adzuma-chan! have been
robbed, and no Sir Morito near at hand to aid
you.
Saka.
Truly, rather it is we who are robbed, Lord
Wataru! losing so sweet a song.
Adz.
[smiling.]
Ah, Sirs, it was not worth so
much as one of the red maple-leaves, which flew over
the river with it.
Saka.
The wise wind was of another mind, and
stole it away to sing to the maple-trees. Is this also
a piece of yours?
[Taking up a strip of writing.]
Adz.
It is, Sir.
In your own very hand, dare I ask?
Adz.
Even so.
Saka.
May I turn robber like the wind, and take
it, in remembrance of this fortunate occasion?
Adz.
Sir Samurai! nothing can be refused to-day
to Lord Morito, or to his friend.
Saka.
I humbly thank you.
[Koromogawa, from within, calls again “Adzuma! Adzuma!” Adzuma kneels before each guest, and salutes him with her hands and forehead on the ground: then rises, and passes within.]
O Tama
[entering.]
I am to say to the august
presence that the Okusâma has gone home with her
mother. They beg honourable excuses.
Mor.
We, too, will now take our leave.
Wat.
Nay, but drink! drink!
Mor.
Your honourable forgiveness. Already we
have stayed too long.
Wat.
Well then, at another time. I heartily pray
by visiting it.
Mor.
I shall come.
Wat.
Fare you well! And you, Sir! Come,
again, at your august leisure.
[Exeunt Omnes.
| Adzuma : or The Japanese Wife | |