Prince. [Puts one hand on Ruiten's shoulder.] Priest, have not many
Vampires bleeding them
And dream it is another thing?
Ruiten. The soul is often a vampire to the body.
Prince. And that evil thing must we kill.
Ito Soda. [Enters L., kneels before the Prince. Ruiten takes up R. a little and Buzen re-entering after Ito Soda goes up C.]
Honorable Prince, humbly I answer thy summons.
Prince. Rise, Ito Soda.
Faithful beyond words art thou,
This know I as all hath been told me.
No longer call thyself a common soldier
But a samurai of the Prince of Hizen.
And the two swords will I give thee on the morrow.
Ito Soda. On my knees I humbly thank thee. [Rises.]
Prince. Now time presses.
O Toyo will be coming
In from the garden.
As usual shall the hundred sleepy samurai
Guard my couch. Let Ito Soda
Remain here hidden and watchful.
When O Toyo rises to enter my chamber—
Your dirk is sharp, Ito Soda?
Ito Soda. [Draws dirk.] As a moonbeam on a cold night.
Prince. And you know how to use it.
Ito Soda. I will place this screen, thus. [Goes to screen L. and opens it so as to form a hiding place between the sleeping mat and the door L.]
So will I wait the moment.