Oh! it breaks my heart to see him! A boy of noble name walking barefoot with merchants, and nothing on his journey but cloth of Shikama to clothe him. Oh! piteous sight!
USHIWAKA.
Change rules the world for ever, and Man but for a little while. What are fine clothes to me, what life itself while foemen flaunt?
HATMAKER.
As a journey-present to speed you on the Eastern road ...
CHORUS.
So he spoke and pressed the sword into the young lord’s hands. And the boy could not any longer refuse, but taking it said, “If ever I come into the World[55] again, I will not forget.” And so saying he turned and went on his way in company with the merchants his masters. On they went till at last, weary with travel, they came to the Inn of Akasaka in the country of Mino.
KICHIJI (the merchant).
We have come so fast that here we are at the Inn of Akasaka.