ACT XI.RECITATIVE. That gentleness controls impetuosity and weakness strength was the secret which Shihkung imparted to Changliang. Yuranosuke. Do not forget the passwords “Ama” and “Kawa,” which we have taken from Gihei’s trade-name, but act as we agreed upon. Yazama, Senzaki, and Odera and their company, together with my son Rikiya, shall enter by the front gate, while Goemon and I will slip in by the back gate. When you hear my signal whistle, burst in as the time has come. There is but one head that we wish to take. Recitative. Upon hearing Yuranosuke’s command, they all glare with angry looks upon the distant mansion and separate into parties which are to enter by the front and back gates. (Here the stage revolves) Unconscious of all this, Kono Musashi-no-Kami Moronao, who has been put off his guard by Yuranosuke’s dissipation, is drinking in fancied security and making women of pleasure dance and sing. With Yakushiji as his chief guest, he is carousing ignorant of his fate, and in the end he and his guests grow so lax in their behaviour as to lie down in the hall all together and are now fast asleep. Only the night-watchman is left awake, and all is silence except the sound of his clappers as he goes his round. The parties at the front and rear settle their plans, and the two fearless men, Yazama and Senzaki, creep to the front gate and listen attentively. They hear only the distant sound of the night watchman’s clappers; they see their opportunity, and tacking on the high wall the rope-ladder in the use of which they are expert, they climb upon the roof of the wall like spiders with an energy which might take them even to the clouds. The sound of the clappers is now nigh at hand, and as they jump Illustration: Several men in battle direct their men. The attacking party, though small in number, are this night valiant men who are prepared for death and fight with all their strength. Yuranosuke. Do not look to others. Aim only at Moronao. Recitative. He gives this command, together with Goemon, to all around them. Samurai. Hi, we hear great noises in your mansion, clashing of swords, whizzing of arrows, and cries. Is it ruffians or robbers, who are causing them, or is it due to a sudden order of the authorities? We are commanded by our lord to ascertain and report. Recitative. They call out aloud, and instantly Yuranosuke answers them. Yuranosuke. We are the retainers of Enya Hangwan, forty and more in number, who are fighting with desperation to avenge our lord’s death. We that speak to you are Oboshi Yuranosuke and Hara Goemon. We have no grudge against Lord Takauji and his brother and, as we certainly bear no malice against Moronao’s neighbours Lords Nikki and Ishido, we are not likely to do Illustration: Men climbing over the top of a roof anxiety on the matter. We only ask you quietly to leave us alone. But if you cannot remain unconcerned in your neighbour’s affairs and wish to aid him, we are ready, though much against our will, to fight you. Samurai. That is admirable. It is but proper that they who have served a master should act as you do. If you have anything to say to us, we will hear you. Withdraw the lanterns. Recitative. And all at once the neighbourhood sinks into silence. In the fight which has lasted about two hours, only two or three of the assailants are slightly injured while the enemy’s wounded are without number. But as no one looking like their commander Moronao is to be seen anywhere, the ashigaru, Teraoka Heiyemon, runs about the interior of the mansion; he not only searches room after room, but also thrusts his spear into the ceiling above and the bamboo matting below, and even into the well. Still Moronao is not to be found; Heiyemon goes into a room which appears to be Moronao’s bed-chamber, he feels the bed-clothes, and as they are still warm in this cold night, he perceives that he has not long fled from the room. He runs to see if Moronao has not escaped outside the house; but he is stopped by a voice. A Voice. Wait, Heiyemon, wait. Recitative. He sees Yazama Jutaro Shigeyuki dragging Moronao after him. Yazama. Here, come, you all. I have found him hiding in the fuel-shed and brought him prisoner. Recitative. On hearing this, they all run up to him in great glee such as a flower might feel when fed with dew. Illustration: Yazama dragging Moronao Yuranosuke. Well done, bravely done. But do not kill him recklessly. He is at least a governor; even in killing him etiquette must be observed. Recitative. And taking him over, he makes him sit above himself. Yuranosuke. We, though we are but retainers, have broken into my lord’s mansion and created a disturbance, because we desired Recitative. On hearing these words, Moronao, hypocrite as he is, betrays no fear. Moronao. Oh, your request is natural. I am prepared for death; come, take my head. Recitative. Putting him off his guard, Moronao suddenly draws his sword and strikes at him; but Yuranosuke parries the blow and twists his arm. Yuranosuke. Ha, delicately do you offer resistance. Come, you all; now is the moment for wreaking our vengeance. Recitative. Yuranosuke gives the first blow with his sword; and his forty and more comrades shout and rejoice as might the blind tortoise when it falls in with a floating log or as if they had seen the flower of the udonge which blooms but once in three thousand years; they leap and dance in the fulness of their joy. The head is cut off with the dirk that their lord left behind. They rejoice and dance, for it was to see this one head Illustration: Man on knees bowing to a low table which a a censer with burning incense Yuranosuke. I have the honour to report to the sacred spirit of our late lord, Renshoin Recitative. With tears he offers prayers. Yuranosuke. Come, let us one after another burn incense. Rest. Since you are our chief commander, you will begin. Yuranosuke. No, no. Before me you will burn incense, Master Yazama Jutaro. Jutaro. No, no, that is not to be thought of. If you favour me thus before the whole company, you will embarrass me. Yuranosuke. No, it is no favour. Of the forty-six of us who have risked our lives to take Moronao’s head, you alone found him in the fuel-shed and caught him alive; and it shows that you are, indeed, pleasing to the sacred spirit of our Lord Enya. We envy you, All. We agree with you. Jutaro. But that........ Yuranosuke. Come, we are wasting time. Jutaro. Then, by your leave. Recitative. He burns incense first of all. Jutaro. The second is Master Yura. Come, stand up. Yuranosuke. No, there is still another to burn incense. Jutaro. Who is that? Which of us? Recitative. Yuranosuke takes out of his bosom a purse of checkered cloth. Yuranosuke. This shall be the second of the loyal retainers to burn incense. Hayano Kanpei was reduced to the greatest straits; through misconduct on his part, he was unable to join our league; and at least to be among those who subscribed for the monument, he obtained money by selling his wife; for that money his father-in-law was murdered; and the money itself was rejected, and in despair he put an end to himself by disembowelment. And Kanpei’s heart at Recitative. And he throws the purse to him; and Heiyemon picks it up with bows. Heiyemon. Very well, sir.......... How glad must he be as he rests under the grass! It is a fortune beyond his deserts. Recitative. He places the purse on the censer, and calls aloud. Heiyemon. The second to burn incense is Hayano Kanpei Shigeuji. Recitative. His voice trembles for tears; and the breasts of the comrades around are bursting with regrets for Kanpei’s death. Suddenly a tumultuous noise of men and horses is heard and the hills and valleys resound with the beating of war-drums, and battle-cries are also raised. Yuranosuke is not in the least disturbed. Yuranosuke. Then it appears that the samurai of Moronao’s house have returned to the attack. Why should we cause more sufferings? Recitative. As they wait prepared for death, Momonoi Wakasanosuke rushes in. Yuranosuke. Yes, if we put an end to ourselves, let it be in front of our late lord’s tomb. We will retire as my lord tells us, and beg you to guard the rear. Recitative. No sooner has he spoken than Yakushiji Jiro and Sagisaka Bannai, who seem to have been in hiding somewhere, suddenly appear before them. Illustration: A man approaching Wakasanosuke. Come, Oboshi. He who is now attacking at the front gate is Moronao’s younger brother, Moroyasu. If you kill yourselves here, it will be reported to the latest generations that you were afraid of the enemy. Withdraw to Enya’s family temple, Komyoji. Yuranosuke. Yes, if we put an end to ourselves, let it be in front of our late lord’s tomb. We willbretire as my lord tells us, and beg you to guard the rear. Recitative. No sooner has he spoken than Yakushiji Jiro and Sagisaka Bannai, who seem to have been hiding somewhere, suddenly apear before them. Yakushiji and Bannai. You Oboshi, we will not let you escape. Recitative. They attack him from the right and left; but Chikara parries their blows; and after fighting for a while, Chikara sees his chance and deals a fatal blow on Yakushiji’s shoulder and with the same stroke he cuts off Sagisaka’s legs, and Bannai falls down dead. Chikara is praised for his prowess; and the same praise is bestowed on the loyal retainers to the latest generations. And this we write to the everlasting glory of our Lord the Shogun and his House. 14th day of the 8th month in the First year of Kwan-en. TAKEDA IZUMO, MIYOSHI SHORAKU, NAMIKI SENRYU. Illustration: Samurai hat] ??? ??????????????? ?? ??? ????? |