KAGEKIYO (suddenly lowering his voice, gently).
But while I dwell here
CHORUS.
“But while I dwell here
To those that tend me
Should I grow hateful
Then were I truly
A blind man staffless.
Oh forgive
Profitless anger, tongue untended,
A cripple’s spleen.”
KAGEKIYO.
For though my eyes be darkened
CHORUS.
“Though my eyes be darkened
Yet, no word spoken,
Men’s thoughts I see.
Listen now to the wind
In the woods upon the hill:
Snow is coming, snow!
Oh bitterness to wake
From dreams of flowers unseen!
And on the shore,
Listen, the waves are lapping
Over rough stones to the cliff.
The evening tide is in.
(KAGEKIYO fumbles for his staff and rises, coming just outside the hut. The mention of “waves,” “shore,” “tide,” has reminded him of the great shore-battle at Yashima in which the Tairas triumphed.)
“I was one of them, of those Tairas. If you will listen, I will tell the tale....”