O Toyo. The Prince and I walked in the garden
And there at the shoji I left him.
As I entered
There entered
With me a spirit
And its breath fell upon me—
Dumb my tongue in my mouth
And frozen my marrow.
Suddenly it leapt upon me
And as I fell downward
Flashed the spirit into mine eyes—
A cat, two-tailed and hairy—
And it's teeth sank in my throat here—
Can you see a mark? [Exposes her throat to Kashiku.]
Kashiku. The skin is as smooth as satin and perfect.
O Toyo. Then came darkness upon me—and so you found me.
So strong is the dream within me
I wonder if it be a dream or no.
Kashiku. You had walked that evening in the garden.
O Toyo. I had rather dreamed I walked—say I dreamed it.
Kashiku. The Prince was with—
O Toyo. Yet it was a dream, question it not.
I would go to rest peacefully.
He, too, shall rest peacefully—
I shall not kiss my lord tonight. [Crosses L.]
Kashiku. Not kiss him?
O Toyo. I think not I shall kiss him.
I would not pain his slumbers—
He has paled so and his face is so thin.
In the night he lies like a strong flower
And a strange flower, bled of its life—
Like a strong flower weakened.
And at its sight my dreams are bitter.
But as I gaze a change comes over all things
And I hold in my hands a beautiful flower
Which I kiss with my lips
Holding my lips long to it,
Draining its sweetness.
And a cloud passes over
And on my lips are clots of blood!
Kashiku. Such dreamings are not good.
I find the silken coverlets tossed in the morning,
Twisted and thrown about as if you slept ill.