“I am old,” said Urashima.
He made to shut the casket lid, but dropped it, saying, “Nay, the vapour of smoke is gone for ever. What matters it?”
He laid down his length upon the sand and died.
XXVIII
TAMAMO, THE FOX MAIDEN
A pedlar journeyed with his pack upon the great high-road which leads to the city of Kioto. He found a child sitting all alone by the wayside.
“Well, my little girl,” he said, “and what make you all alone by the wayside?”
“What do you,” said the child, “with a staff and a pack, and sandals outworn?”
“I am bound for Kioto, and the Mikado’s Palace, to sell my gauds to the ladies of the Court.”
“Ah,” said the child, “take me too.”